Determinants of Perinatal Birth Asphyxia Among Preterm Babies in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies Protocol
Abstract Background: Birth asphyxia among preterm babies accounted for nearly fifty percent of neonatal mortality in sub-Saharan African countries. This scenario has been worst in Ethiopia where every two out of three deaths attributed to birth asphyxia. Moreover, studies conducted in Ethiopia lack consistency in the prevalence and risk factors of birth asphyxia. Objective: This study aims to analyses collectively and systematically prevalence of birth asphyxia and associated factors among preterm neonates in Ethiopia. Methods: The protocol for this review is registered at PROSPERO with registration number CRD42020158224. A comprehensive search of the following electronic databases were made using: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, web science, HINARI, Cochrane library, Google Scholar and maternity & infant care databases as well as grey literature uploaded at Ethiopian Health Development Journal will be searched until June 30, 2020. The quality of studies will be assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Three reviewers will screen all retrieved articles, conduct data extraction, and then critically appraise all identified studies. All identified observational studies reporting the prevalence of birth asphyxia and associated factors among neonates in Ethiopia will be considered. The analysis of data will be done using STATA 14.0 statistical software. We will demonstrate pooled estimates and determinants of neonatal mortality with effect size and 95% confidence interval. Heterogeneity among the included studies will be assessed through the Cochrane Q-test statistics and I2 test. Furthermore, publication bias will be checked using funnel plot and egger’s test. Finally, statistical significance level will be declared at a p-value less than 0.05. Discussion: the result from this systematic review will inform and guide health policy planners to invest limited resources on maternal and neonatal health. Furthermore, it will be a stimulus for future cumulative meta-analysis researchers in developing nations.