Induction of Labor and Its Determinant Factors: Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study from a Public Hospital in Ethiopia

Background: Induction of labor is an artificial initiation of labor after the age of viability for the purpose of accomplishing vaginal delivery. It is a common obstetric procedure which is indicated when the benefits to the mother or fetus outweigh, the benefits of continuing the pregnancy. Methods: Hospital based retrospective cross-sectional study design was carried out at Lemlem Karl hospital, Miachew town among 384 mothers chart who gave birth from July 30, 2015 to July 30, 2016. Systematic sampling technique was used to select patient medical cards. Data were entered and coded using Epi Info version 7.0 then analyzed by statistical package for social sciences window version 20. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to test the association between determinants and dependent variable with P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significantly. Results: From 384 women who gave birth, 42 (10.9%) labor were initiated by induction. The determinant factors for induction of labor were antenatal follow up at Private clinics [AOR= 3.86, 95% CI (1.29, 11.50)], premature rupture of membrane [AOR=3.57, 95% CI (1.19, 10.76)], pregnancy induced hypertension [AOR=5.033, 95% CI (1.44, 17.62)] and fetal anomaly [AOR=5.68, 95% CI (1.614, 20.12)]. Conclusion: The magnitude of induction of labor in this study was high compare to other previous surveys conducted in Africa. The independent determinants for induction of labor in this study were: Premature rapture of membrane, pregnancy induced hypertension, antenatal visits at private clinics and fetal anomalies. Improve the quality of antenatal care and prepare induction guidelines which works for both governmental and private health care institutions may help to reduce the magnitude of induction of labor and not well convinced reasons for induction.