Abstract:
Background: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is abnormal condition in which implantation of the blastocyst
occurs outside the endometrium of the uterus. It is gynecological important, particularly in the
developing world, because of the associated enormous rate of high morbidity, during the first
trimester of pregnancy. A better understanding of its risk factors can help to prevent its prevalence.
However, the determinants of ectopic pregnancy are not well understood and few researches
conducted in our country were based on secondary data covering small scale area.
Objectives: This study aimed to identify determinants of ectopic pregnancy among pregnant women
attending referral hospitals in Southwestern part of Oromia regional state, Southwest Ethiopia.
Methods: Multi-centered hospital based case control study was employed from June 1 to September
30, 2019. The study was conducted in five referral hospitals in Southwestern part of Oromia regional
state, with sample size of 177(59 cases and 118 controls). After confirmed by ultrasound and hCG
women with ectopic pregnancy were cases and women who had not diagnosed for ectopic pregnancy
were controls. Data were entered by using Epi data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 23.
Descriptive statistics were used to explore the data. All explanatory variables with p -value of <0.25
in bi-variable analysis then entered into multivariable logistic regression. Associated factors were
identified at 95% confidence interval (p <0.05). Aggregate results were displayed using frequency
tables.
Results: From five referral hospitals 177(59 cases and 118 controls), one hundred seventy-four
pregnant women (58 EP cases and 116 controls) were participated in the study. History of two or
more induced abortions [AOR=3.95:95% CI: 1.22-13.05], at least one previous history of caesarean
section [AOR=3.4:95% CI: 1.11-10.94], marital status (being single) [AOR=4.04:95%CI:
1.23-13.21], reporting Prior recurrent STD/STI [AOR=2.25:95%CI: 1.00-5.51], Women reporting
prior history of emergency contraceptive pills use [AOR=3.04:95%CI:1.29-7.14] were more likely to
have ectopic pregnancy with their respective AOR with 95%C. I
Conclusion and Recommendation: It was found that having history of more than two induced
abortions during previous pregnancy, marital status (single), recurrent STD/STI, experiencing at
least one caesarean section for previous pregnancy and using emergency contraceptives pills use
were found to be important determinants of ectopic pregnancy. Hospitals should give emphasis on
prevention and early detection of risks of ectopic pregnancy and create awareness in order to reduce
the burden of ectopic pregnancy.
