Prevalence, and Associated Factors of Cephalopelvic Disproportion Among Pregnant Women Attending Delivery Services at Wachemo University, Nigist Elleni Mohammed Memorial Referral Hospital, Southern Ethiopia

Introduction: Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) is a condition in which the baby's head is too large or the mother's pelvis is too small, making it difficult for the baby to pass through the birth canal during labor even if the uterine contraction is strong enough. This can lead to prolonged or obstructed labor, which poses serious risks to both the mother and the baby. The magnitude and risk factors contributing to cephalopelvic disproportion in Ethiopia are poorly understood. Objectives To assess the prevalence and associated factors of cephalopelvic disproportion among pregnant women attending delivery service at Wachemo University Nigist Elleni Mohammed Memorial Referral Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. Methods An institutional-based quantitative cross-sectional study design was implemented on 384 randomly selected pregnant women attending delivery service at Wachemo University Nigist Elleni Mohammed Memorial Referral Hospital from September-December 2023. The primary data were collected by using structured questionnaires and checklists. The history taking, anthropometric measurements, physical examination, and CPD diagnosis were performed by the gynecologist and obstetricians. The data were collected by the four BSc midwives under strict supervision. After being carefully checked for the completeness, accuracy, and validity of each questionnaire, the data were entered into Epi-data and then exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Results The prevalence of cephalopelvic disproportion was 13.8%. The decrease in one centimeter of the maternal height triples the chance of developing the CPD [AOR = 3 (95% CI: 1.76–5.24)]. A unit increment in fetal head circumference doubles the likelihood of the developing the CPD [AOR = 2 (95% CI: 1.47–4.95)]. One gram increment in fetal weight increases the chance of developing CPD by 3.5 folds [AOR = 3.8 (95% CI: 1.12–5.88)]. Maternal diabetes mellitus [AOR = 2.8 (95% CI: 1.17–5.32)] was another significantly contributing factor to CPD. Conclusion The prevalence of cephalopelvic disproportion was high. The significantly contributing factors for CPD were short maternal height, large fetal birth weight, wider fetal head circumference, and maternal diabetes mellitus. Adequate younghood nutrition, proper dietary intake during pregnancy, complete antenatal service, and controlling blood glucose level were recommended.