Factors associated with stillbirths in Koulikoro Reference Health Center, Mali, January 2019 to December 2020

Introduction: Stillbirth is still a major obstetrical public health problem. Stillbirth causes emotional trauma for the mother and her family. Despite the strategies put in place by Mali, stillbirth remains an alarming problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with stillbirths at the Koulikoro Reference Health Centre, Mali, from January 2019 to December 2020. Methods: This is a sex-matched case-control study carried out in Koulikoro reference health centre. Data were collected from pregnant women’s records and maternity registers. We performed conditional logistic regression using R software to identify factors associated with stillbirth. Results: Factors independently associated with stillbirth were: rural (aOR: 8.92; 95%CI: 2.88 – 27.58; p ≤ 0.001); multiparity (aOR: 4.72; 95%CI: 1.42 – 15.62; p = 0.011); preeclampsia/eclampsia (aOR: 9.44; 95%CI: 1.39 – 64.16; p = 0.021); Retroplacental hematoma (aOR: 136.49; 95%CI: 6.02 – 3090.62; p = 0.002); prolonged rupture of membranes (aOR: 4.72; 95%CI: 1.71 – 12.99; p = 0.002); Hemorrhage (aOR: 4.66; CI95%: 1.12 – 19.29; p = 0.033) and fetal weight less than 2500g (aOR: 12.34; 95%CI: 3.56 – 42.79; p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Fetal weight below 2500 grams was the factor most associated with stillbirth in our study. The improvement and use of quality obstetric care at all levels would reduce the number of stillbirths.