Factors Associated with Neural Tube Defects among Women Who Gave Birth at Adama Hospital Medical College, Adama, Ethiopia: A Case Control Study.

BACKGROUND

Neural tube defects (NTDs) occur as a result of incomplete closure of the neural tube by the embryonic age of 26 to 28 days. Addressing factors associated with NTDs would help to identify and prioritize high-risk women, which in turn guides the preventive strategy. The study aimed to identify factors associated with NTDs among women who gave birth or had a second-trimester abortion at Adama Hospital Medical College, from January 1st to December 31st, 2019.

METHODS

Hospital based unmatched case-control study was conducted on 344 women. Data were analyzed with SPSS 20. Descriptive statistics were computed. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associations with NTDs.

RESULTS

The odds of having a fetus with NTDs were 2.19 times higher among women who are not in a marital relationship (AOR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.13, 4.25). Women with a previous history of Abortion or stillbirth had 3 fold increased risk of having a fetus with NTDs (AOR = 3.05; 95% CI: 1.58, 5.88). Inadequate housing condition nearly doubles the odds of having a fetus with NTDs (AOR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.20, 3.04). Folic acid or multivitamin supplementation early in pregnancy reduced the odds of having a fetus with NTDs by 43% (AOR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.35, 0.91).

CONCLUSION

Being not in a marital relationship, previous history of abortion or stillbirth, and living in inadequate housing conditions were risk factors for NTDs, while multivitamins or folic acid supplementation was a protective factor.