MAGNITUDE AND OUTCOMES OF INDUCTION OF LABOR: A PROSPECTIVE DESCRIPTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AT MEKELLE PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN NORTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Induction of labor (IOL) is an artificial initiation of labor after the age of fetal viability and before the onset of spontaneous true labor to achieve vaginal delivery as a therapeutic option when the benefits of expeditious delivery outweigh the risks of continuing the pregnancy. This research aims to assess magnitude of labor induction, associated factors and perinatal/maternal outcomes among mothers delivered at Mekelle public hospitals , Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted on 308 laboring mothers who delivered after induction of labor, from July 1st, to December 1st, 2024. Using structured questionnaire and quota sampling techniques, all eligible participants were immediately enrolled upon admission until the desired sample size was achieved. SPSS windows version 25.0 was used for analysis and both descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted; statistical significance to declare relationship between the dependent and independent variables was set at p<0.05. Results: 308 of the 5173 women who gave birth in the study area were induced, representing a 5.9% magnitude of induction. Out of this, 236 (76.6%) were delivered vaginally, 3(1%) were operative vaginal deliveries and 69 (22.4%) by Caesarean delivery.The most prevalent indication for Caesarean delivery was NRFHRP 41(59.4%), and 239 (77.6%) of the inductions were successful, while 22 (7.1%) failed. A caesarean section was used to deliver all of the patients with failed induction. Oxytocin 169(54.9%) was the most popular method for inducing labor. Bishop’s score after cervical ripening significantly predicted the success of induction [AOR=3.588(2.793,10.983)].and the two most common indications for induction were prelabor rupture of membrane 174(56.5) and oligohydraminos 39(12.7%). Conclusion: While our successful induction rate (77.6%) is higher than that of similar institutions in Ethiopia but comparable to most African and Asian rates, our failed induction rate (7.1%) is lower than both local and regional settings. Bishop’s score after cervical ripening significantly predicted the success of induction [AOR=3.588(2.793,10.983)]