Determinants of Neural Tube Defects among Mothers Who Gave Birth in North Shoa Zone Hospitals, Amhara Region, Ethiopia 2020: Case control study

Introduction:
Neural tube defects affect the brain and the spinal column of the developing
embryo. The defects occur due to incomplete or failure of closure of the neural
tube. The condition eventually causes death and lifelong disability. Worldwide,
more than 300,000 babies are born with neural tube defects each year. The
highest burden is in low and middle income countries. Therefore, this study aims
to identify the determinant factors of neural tube defects among mothers who
gave birth in North Shoa Zone Hospitals.

Methods:
A hospital based unmatched case-control study was conducted among 243(81 cases
and 162 controls) study participants in North Shoa Zone Hospitals. The
hospitals were selected using simple random sampling and all cases and randomly
selected controls in the selected hospitals were included in the study. The data
were collected by using pre-tested structured questionnaire.

Results:
Different factors were identified to have association with neural tube defect.
Family annual cash income less than 24000ETB (AOR: 3.73, 95%CI: 1.35, 10.26),
history of still birth (AOR: 3.63, 95%CI: 1.03, 12.2), history of abortion
(AOR: 6.15, 95%CI: 2.63, 18.56), preconception tea use (AOR: 2.36, 95%CI: 1.15,
4.86) and pesticides/chemical exposer (AOR: 5.34, 95%CI: 1.77, 16.05) were positively
associated factors. In the contrart, preconception care
(AOR: 0.14, 95%CI: 0.05, 0.39) and taking iron/folic acid/multivitamin during
the current pregnancy (AOR: 0.16, 95%CI: 0.07, 0.33) showed
a protective effect.

Conclusion:
Family annual income less than 24000ETB, history of still birth, history of abortion,
preconception tea use and pesticides/chemical exposer were predictors of neural
tube defects. Preconception counseling and screening should be recommended for
women who plan for pregnancy.

Key
words: Neural tube defect, Determinant factors, Hospitals,
Ethiopia