Daniel Tarekegn Worede, Simegn Alemu, Tesfa Birlew Tsegaye
The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for severe perineal lacerations among mothers who delivered vaginally in public hospitals in Ethiopia. Institutional based unmatched case control study design was conducted in Ethiopia from 1st January to 30th March, 2019. Cases were mothers who delivered vaginally with severe perineal laceration whereas controls were mothers who had delivered vaginally without a severe perineal laceration. Cases were selected consecutively and three controls per case were included using systematic sampling technique. Data were collected using piloted, structured questioner and checklist with face to face interview and record review. Data entry and analysis were done using epi-info version 7 and SPSS version 23 respectively. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done. A p-value of <0.05 was considered as significant at 95% confidence interval and the strength of association was measured using odds ratio. Vacuum assisted delivery (aOR 5.356; 95% CI; 3.200-8.963), episiotomy (aOR 5.018; 95% CI; 2.895-8.699) and high birth weight (aOR 2.105; 95% CI 1.355-3.27) were the risk factors for severe perineal laceration. The incidence could be decreased with avoiding instrumental assisted delivery.