Adverse obstetric outcome and its associated factors in public hospitals of North Ethiopia: does parity make a difference?

Background Direct obstetric causes account for nearly 75% of all maternal deaths. Controversy prevails in the effect of grand multiparity on adverse obstetric outcomes. This study thus aimed to determine and compare the obstetric outcomes in low multiparous (LM) and grand multiparous (GM) women in Public Hospitals of North Ethiopia. Method An institution-based comparative cross-sectional study was done among 540 (180 GM and 360 LM) participants from January 1 to March 30, 2021. The data was collected through face-to-face interviews and a review of clinical records and birth registries. Epi-Data version 4.6 was used for data entry and analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0 statistical software. A p -value of ≤ 0.05 (2-tailed) was used to consider the significance of statistical tests. Result The prevalence of adverse obstetric outcomes was 32.6% (95% CI: 28.7–36.5). Antepartum hemorrhage, anemia, and postpartum hemorrhage were higher in grand multiparous women. Whereas, prolonged labor, induction/augmentation, prelabor rupture of membrane, episiotomy, and post-term pregnancy was higher in low multiparous women. Income (AOR (CI) = 3.15 (1.30–7.63), alcohol consumption (AOR (CI) = 3.15 (1.49–6.64), preterm delivery (AOR (CI) = 9.24 (2.28–27.3), cesarean delivery (AOR (CI) = 13.6 (6.18–30.1), and low birth weight (AOR (CI) = 3.46 (1.33–9.03) significant predictors of adverse obstetric outcomes. However, parity did not show a statistically significant difference in obstetric outcomes. Conclusion In the study area, obstetric complications were high compared to a systematic review and meta-analysis study done in the country (26.88%). Socio-economic status, alcohol consumption, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, and birth weight were significant associates of the obstetric outcome. There was no statistically significant difference in obstetric outcomes between GM and LM women. Socio-economic development, avoiding alcohol consumption, early identification and treatment of complications, and adequate nutrition and weight gain during pregnancy are needed regardless of parity.