Factors associated with perinatal mortality in Kassala, Eastern Sudan: a community-based study 2010-2011

This study investigated the factors associated with perinatal mortality in eastern Sudan from 2010 to 2011. Among 808 deliveries, there were 15 pairs of twins, giving 823 babies at risk of perinatal deaths. There were 761 live births and 62 perinatal deaths. Of the 62 perinatal deaths, 25 (40.3%) were stillbirths and 37 (59.7%) were early neonatal deaths. The stillbirth risk, early neonatal mortality risk and perinatal mortality rate were 30.9 per 1000 pregnancies, 48.6 per 1000 live births and 75.3 per 1000 births, respectively. In the logistic regression model, home delivery [odds ratio (OR) = 5.1; confidence interval CI = 1.8-14; p = 0.001] and parity ≥3 (OR = 4.5; CI = 2.2-8.8; p < 0.001) were predictors for perinatal deaths, whereas use of antenatal care (OR = 0.3; CI = 0.1-0.6; p = 0.002), use of a mosquito net (OR = 0.07; CI = 0.03-0.1; p < 0.001) and antenatal iron supplementation for at least 3 months (OR = 0.06; CI = 0.02-0.1; p < 0.001) were significant protective factors of perinatal deaths.