Contributing Factors to Failed Oxytocin Induction among Women Giving Birth at Referral Hospitals of Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, in 2018: A Case-control Study

Failed oxytocin induction of labor increases the rate of cesarean section and associated complications. The present study aimed to identify contributing factors to failed oxytocin induction among women who gave birth at the referral hospitals of Amhara regional state, Ethiopia, in 2018.

This unmatched case-control study was conducted on a total of 336 parturient women (112 cases and 224 controls) at the referral hospitals of Amhara regional state, Ethiopia, within March 19 to May 18, 2018. Systematic and consecutive sampling methods were applied for the selection of controls and cases, respectively. Both the interviewer-administered questionnaire and medical chart review were utilized as tools for data collection. The validity of the tools was determined by content validity, and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient as a measure of tool reliability was rendered at 0.82. Data analysis was carried out by SPSS software (version 23) using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

According to the obtained results, primiparity (AOR=6.24; 95% CI: 3.32-11.73), intermediate Bishop score (AOR=11.77; 95% CI: 5.19-26.71), emergency oxytocin induction (AOR=2.47; 95% CI: 1.31-4.68), and age of ≤ 30 years (AOR=2.16; 95% CI: 1.13-4.16) were considered the determinants of failed oxytocin induction.

Considering the factors of primiparity, intermediate Bishop score (5-8) and the age of ≤ 30 years as determinants of failed oxytocin induction, it is recommended to use oxytocin induction after obtaining a favorable Bishop score.