Background The Millennium Development Goals call for two-third and three-quarter reductions in Perinatal Mortality Rates and Maternal Mortality Ratios. The main strategy towards achieving these reductions is to increase access to skilled attendance. However, it cannot be confirmed that all health professionals are skilled in managing women in labour, nor that they are functioning in enabling environments. To measure the provision of skilled attendance, this study was undertaken in five Level 1 Hospitals in the uThungulu Health District of KwaZulu-Natal. The objectives of the study were: 1. To establish perinatal outcomes for each Level 1 Hospital in uThungulu Health District. 2. To evaluate the quality of intrapartum care provided in Level 1 Hospitals in uThungulu Health District. 3. To evaluate the obstetric knowledge of health workers attending births in Level 1 Hospitals in uThungulu Health District. 4. To evaluate the obstetric skills of health workers attending births in Level 1 Hospitals in uThungulu Health District. 5. To evaluate the environment in which births are attended in Level 1 Hospitals in uThungulu Health District. 6. Compare the quality of care, the knowledge, skills and environment with perinatal outcomes. Methods Perinatal outcomes (PNMR, FSBR, ENNDR and PCI) were calculated for each hospital; maternity case records of women who have delivered in these Level 1 Hospitals were audited to assess the quality of intrapartum care; obstetric knowledge and skills of midwives were assessed; as was the enabling environment within which midwives worked, which included a measurement of their workload. A correlation between perinatal outcomes and the quality of intrapartum care, knowledge and skills and the enabling environment was performed to determine whether variables were associated. Results The overall PNMR for five hospitals in uThungulu Health District was 31 per 1000 births. Three hospitals demonstrated PNMRs below 30 per 1000, while the other two showed rates above 45 per 1000. The combined FSBR for the five hospitals was 6 per 1000 births, the combined ENNDR was 12 per 1000 live births. The PCI in all hospitals ranged between 3 and 4. An audit of maternity case records revealed that all hospitals have a high overall mean percentage score per record. However, analysis of subsets showed good performance in recordings on the labour graph, but poor performance in the admission assessment and in the management of labour. The Kruskal-Wallis Non-Parametric Test showed a statistically significant difference in overall scores amongst hospitals (p=0.01), suggesting differences in performance in all five hospitals in terms of the quality of care provided. Overall, all hospitals scored poorly on tests of obstetric knowledge and skills. There were no statistically significant differences in the overall knowledge median scores and subsets median scores amongst hospitals (p=0.07), indicating that all five hospitals performed on a similar level in terms of obstetric knowledge. However, all hospitals performed differently in relation to obstetric skills, as there was a statistically significant difference in the overall skill median scores amongst hospitals (p=0.002). Three hospitals met the enabling environment standard. All hospitals but one scored poorly on referral, and the availability of supervision on both shifts. One hospital scored poorly on drugs and supplies. Overall no hospitals reported the presence of all the elements of the enabling environment. Three hospitals had acceptable workloads. No association could be detected between variables. However, there were trends that can be traced in different hospitals. Conclusions In South Africa, from the Demographic and Health Survey, 84% of deliveries are assisted by skilled attendant. While an attendant may be present, one cannot say that skilled attendance has been provided, as it has been shown for uThungulu Health District. / Thesis (MMed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

No description available.

Disproportionately large numbers of infants showing atypical growth patterns are reportedly born to young mothers. Infants with these atypical growth patterns consistently show differences in measures of infant state. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between maternal age and infant state. The behavioral state of 61 newborn infants was rated at 30-sec. intervals using Thoman's (1975) state scale during a one-hour observational session. The total number of epochs in quiet sleep, active sleep, alert, transitions from quiet sleep to active sleep, transitions from active sleep to quiet sleep, and the range of states for each infant were regressed on maternal age in an attempt to demonstrate a quadratic relation between infant state and maternal age. The regression analysis showed that maternal age could not predict any of the state measures. However, in this study, maternal age and poverty were confounded. An overrepresentation of biomedical risk factors may have concealed differences in infant behavioral state. Exploratory regression analysis did not provide a meaningful interpretation of the relation between the biomedical risk factors and infant state measures. However, this study provides indirect support for the hypothesis that atypical patterns of fetal growth in infants born to adolescent mothers may be explained, in part, by a decreased net availability of nutrients resulting from the mothers growth needs and the growth needs of her fetus. / M.S.

Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: According to South African annual statistics, stillbirth is a relevant issue and National health policies, social welfare services and health care providers should place special focus on pregnant women to avoid the possible occurrence of a negative pregnancy outcome such as a stillbirth. An event that should have been a joyous birth, ended in a tragic death, forcing the mother to deal with the emotions of birth and death simultaneously. The bereaved mother needs to receive special care and support as soon as possible and the crisis intervention approach is seen as being helpful to regain a sense of equilibrium in her and the family’s life before starting to adapt to the new situation. This study explores and describes the lived experience of 25 mothers who experienced a stillbirth. Focus was given to the psychosocial implications of stillbirth on mothers and their families. This study examined the mothers’ feelings about the stillbirth six months or longer after the event, as well as its impact on relationships with partners and other children. By adopting a crisis intervention approach, the effectiveness of crisis intervention shortly after the stillbirth could be investigated. This study used a combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches and assumed an exploratory and descriptive research design to provide a detailed description of the phenomenon being studied, i.e. the psychosocial implications of stillbirth. A questionnaire was used to obtain demographic (quantitative) data and a semi-structured questionnaire – the design based on information from literature - was administered during individual interviews. Obtained data was both measurable and rich in description and revealed that mothers still longed for their stillborn babies after a period of six or more months had passed. It also indicated that the father or partner of the baby and other children were affected by a stillbirth. Gender differences in how stillbirth is experienced by each partner, consequently adds extra tension on the relationship. Most of the mothers experienced the stillbirth as a crisis and found support in their mothers, family and a counsellor. Significantly, mothers felt crisis-intervention was beneficial, but preferred that crisis intervention be followed by on-going therapy. The stillbirth also resulted in feelings of alienation from community, friends and family - who did not know how to approach them. Generally, mothers were satisfied with medical care received but several issues regarding autopsy consent and guilt feelings surrounding this are highlighted. Important recommendations resulting from the study indicate that the crisis-intervention approach as method in social work is effective when rendering service for bereaved mothers and families after a stillbirth. It helps to regain a sense of equilibrium, but further intervention is recommended to facilitate the grief process. In addition, the study emphasizes the importance of social workers being aware that the stillbirth causes tension in partner- and family relationships. Receiving social work intervention is not only highly effective, but allows bereaved mothers to feel empowered and encouraged to openly grieve for their stillborn babies - much needed in an environment where a stillbirth is seen as a silent birth. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Volgens jaarlikse Suid-Afrikaanse statistieke, is stilgeboorte ‘n relevante onderwerp en die Nasionale gesondheidsbeleid, maatskaplike welsynsdienste en gesondheidssorgverskaffers moet fokus op swanger vroue ten einde moontlike negatiewe swangerskapuitkomstes, soos stilgeboorte, te voorkom. Tydens ‘n stilgeboorte, eindig die heuglike vooruitsig van ‘n geboorte in die tragiese afsterwe van die baba en word die moeder geforseer om emosies van geboorte en sterfte gelyktydig te hanteer. Sulke moeders benodig spesiale versorging asook ondersteuning so spoedig moontlik. Krisis intervensie is ‘n effektiewe metode om die moeder te help om ‘n mate van balans in haar en haar gesin se lewe te herwin voordat hulle kan begin aanpas by die nuwe situasie. Hierdie studie ondersoek en beskryf ervarings van 25 moeders wat ‘n stilgeboorte ervaar het. Fokus word geplaas op die psigososiale effek van stilgeboorte op moeders en hul gesinne. Moeders se gevoelens rakende die stilgeboorte ses maande of langer na die geboorte, is ondersoek, asook die effek daarvan op hul verhoudings met lewensmaats en ander kinders. Deur die krisis intervensie benadering te gebruik, kon die effektiwiteit daarvan kort na die stilgeboorte ondersoek word. Kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes is in hierdie studie gebruik. Die studie veronderstel ʼn verkennende en beskrywende navorsingsontwerp om sodoende ʼn uitvoerige beskrywing van die psigososiale implikasie van stilgeboorte te verskaf. Data word verkry deur ʼn vraelyste - demografiese (kwantitatiewe) data, asook semigestruktureerde vraelyste (kwalitatief) wat tydens individuele onderhoude toegedien is. Die ontwerp van die semi-gestruktureerde vraelys is gebaseer op inligting vanuit die literatuurstudie. Die bevindinge van die empiriese ondersoek dui aan dat moeders na ses maande of langer steeds hunker na hul stilgebore babas. Geslagsverskille rakende die wyse waarop moeders en vaders die stilgeboorte ervaar dra gevolglik by tot ekstra spanning in die verhouding. Die meeste moeders het die stilgeboorte as ‘n krisis ervaar en het ondersteuning gevind by hulle moeders, gesinne en ‘n berader/maatskaplike werker. ‘n Beduidende bevinding was dat moeders krisis intervensie as voordelig beskou het, maar verkies dat dit opgevolg moet word deur deurlopende terapie. Die stilgeboorte veroorsaak ook dat die moeders ‘n gevoel van vereensaming van die gemeenskap, vriende en familie ervaar het. Volgens hulle was mense te bang en onseker in hoe om hulle te benader. In die algemeen was moeders tevrede met die mediese sorg wat hulle ontvang het, maar kwessies rakende toestemming en skuldgevoelens rondom nadoodse ondersoeke word uitgelig. Belangrike aanbevelings dui aan dat krisis intervensie as metode in maatskaplike werk effektief is ten opsigte van dienslewering vir ‘n moeder en haar gesin na ‘n stilgeboorte. Dit help om ‘n mate van balans te herstel, maar verdere intervensie word aanbeveel om die rouproses te fasiliteer. Die studie beklemtoon ook dat dit belangrik is dat maatskaplike werkers bewus moet wees dat ‘n stilgeboorte spanning veroorsaak in huweliks- en gesinsverhoudings. Die ontvangs van maatskaplike werk intervensie is nie net hoogs effektief nie, maar bemagtig en motiveer moeders om openlik te rou vir hulle stilgebore babas, iets wat nodig is in ‘n samelewing waar stilgeboorte as ‘n geboorte beskou word waaroor daar nie gepraat word nie.

<p>These studies were undertaken to investigate risks of maternal and perinatal complications in pregnant women with chronic hypertensive disease, and to investigate future risk of preeclampsia in women born small for gestational age (SGA). Population based cohort studies using the Swedish Medical Birth Register from different years were performed.</p><p>The maternal complications mild and severe preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and abruptio placenta were studied in a population of 681 515 women, with a prevalence of 0,5% for chronic hypertension. Risk estimates were adjusted for differences in maternal characteristics as age, parity, BMI, ethnicity and smoking habits. Chronic hypertensive women wore found to have significantly increased risks of all complications. </p><p>The perinatal complication SGA was studied in a population of 560 188, with a prevalence of 0,5% for chronic hypertension. Risk estimates were adjusted for differences in maternal characteristics and for the secondary complications mild and severe preeclampsia. Chronic hypertensive women were found to suffer a significantly increased risk of giving birth to an offspring that is SGA. </p><p>The perinatal complication fetal/infant mortality was studied in a population of 1 222 952 with a prevalence of 0,6% for chronic hypertension. Risk estimates were adjusted for differences in maternal characteristics and for the complications mild and severe preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, abruptio placenta and offspring being SGA In the analysis an effect modification by gender was included. Chronic hypertensive women were found to have a significantly increased risk for stillbirth and neonatal death in male, but not in female, offspring. Thus a clear gender difference in mortality was revealed. The risk of mortality of offspring was mediated by severe preeclampsia, abruptio placenta and offspring being SGA. Mild preeclampsia and gestational diabetes did not affect the risk. No increased risk of post neonatal mortality was found.</p><p>A generation study was performed in 118 634 girls of which 5.8% were born SGA. Their future risk for mild and severe preeclampsia in first pregnancy was analysed. Risk estimates were adjusted for age, smoking, BMI and for preeclampsia in the mothers while pregnant with the study population. Women who were born SGA were shown to have a significantly increased risk for severe preeclampsia, but not for mild preeclampsia. </p>

These studies were undertaken to investigate risks of maternal and perinatal complications in pregnant women with chronic hypertensive disease, and to investigate future risk of preeclampsia in women born small for gestational age (SGA). Population based cohort studies using the Swedish Medical Birth Register from different years were performed. The maternal complications mild and severe preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and abruptio placenta were studied in a population of 681 515 women, with a prevalence of 0,5% for chronic hypertension. Risk estimates were adjusted for differences in maternal characteristics as age, parity, BMI, ethnicity and smoking habits. Chronic hypertensive women wore found to have significantly increased risks of all complications. The perinatal complication SGA was studied in a population of 560 188, with a prevalence of 0,5% for chronic hypertension. Risk estimates were adjusted for differences in maternal characteristics and for the secondary complications mild and severe preeclampsia. Chronic hypertensive women were found to suffer a significantly increased risk of giving birth to an offspring that is SGA. The perinatal complication fetal/infant mortality was studied in a population of 1 222 952 with a prevalence of 0,6% for chronic hypertension. Risk estimates were adjusted for differences in maternal characteristics and for the complications mild and severe preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, abruptio placenta and offspring being SGA In the analysis an effect modification by gender was included. Chronic hypertensive women were found to have a significantly increased risk for stillbirth and neonatal death in male, but not in female, offspring. Thus a clear gender difference in mortality was revealed. The risk of mortality of offspring was mediated by severe preeclampsia, abruptio placenta and offspring being SGA. Mild preeclampsia and gestational diabetes did not affect the risk. No increased risk of post neonatal mortality was found. A generation study was performed in 118 634 girls of which 5.8% were born SGA. Their future risk for mild and severe preeclampsia in first pregnancy was analysed. Risk estimates were adjusted for age, smoking, BMI and for preeclampsia in the mothers while pregnant with the study population. Women who were born SGA were shown to have a significantly increased risk for severe preeclampsia, but not for mild preeclampsia.

Orientador: Cristina Maria de Lima Parada / Resumo: A vigilância epidemiológica é essencial para o planejamento, implementação e avaliação das práticas de saúde pública. O monitoramento da mortalidade perinatal, dentro do sistema de vigilância epidemiológica, depende da qualidade dos dados dos sistemas de informação. Objetivo: Avaliar o sistema de vigilância de óbitos perinatais de Núcleo Hospitalar de Epidemiologia (NHE) de hospital terciário do interior paulista. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo transversal, realizado a partir dos 80 óbitos ocorridos entre abril de 2014 e abril de 2015 em NHE de hospital terciário do interior paulista. O referencial de avaliação utilizado foi proposto pelo Center for Disease Control americano para uso em saúde pública. Foram abordados os seguintes atributos: utilidade, simplicidade, qualidade dos dados, aceitabilidade, sensibilidade, representatividade, oportunidade, flexibilidade, valor preditivo positivo, estabilidade. Este estudo foi aprovado por Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa local. Resultados: Utilidade: o sistema é pouco utilizado, os dados não são devolvidos aos profissionais, não são utilizados na proposição de ações para evitar a ocorrência de novos casos nem na gestão em saúde. Qualidade dos dados: 6,2% das variáveis estavam em branco nas investigações; a taxa de concordância entre as investigações originais e as realizadas para o estudo foi de 79,1%, sendo que a categoria com maior discordância/ausência de dados foi assistência ao parto (35,8%). Simplicidade: a grande maioria (91,2%) das ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Epidemiological surveillance is essential for the planning, implementation and evaluation of public health practices. The monitoring of perinatal mortality, within the system of epidemiological surveillance, depends on quality of data in information systems. Object: To evaluate the perinatal deaths surveillance system of the Hospital Nucleus of Epidemiology (HNE) of a tertiary referral hospital in the interior of São Paulo state. Methods: A transversal study was conducted based on 80 deaths between April 2014 and April 2015 at the HNE of a tertiary referral hospital in the interior of São Paulo state. Our evaluation references were proposed by the American Center for Disease Control to be used in public health. The following attributes were addressed: utility, simplicity, data quality, acceptability, sensitivity, representativeness, timeliness, flexibility, predictive value positive, and stability. This study was approved by the local Research Ethics Committee. Results: Utility: the system is little used, the data are not returned to professionals, they are used neither in action proposals in order to avoid the emergence of new cases, nor in health management. Data quality: 6.2% of variables were blank in investigations; the agreement rate between original investigations and the ones conducted for the study was 79.1%, of which the category with the greatest disagreement/lack of data was birth assistance (35.8%). Simplicity: the vast majority (91.2%) of investigations was cond... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Submitted by Marina Frolini de Moraes null (moraes.marina@gmail.com) on 2016-09-22T22:34:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Marina Frolini de Moraes - Definitivo.pdf: 1612264 bytes, checksum: 3a95e8da696237241a24340897c7a2be (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Felipe Augusto Arakaki (arakaki@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-09-26T18:20:06Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 moraes_mf_me_bot.pdf: 1612264 bytes, checksum: 3a95e8da696237241a24340897c7a2be (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-26T18:20:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 moraes_mf_me_bot.pdf: 1612264 bytes, checksum: 3a95e8da696237241a24340897c7a2be (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-22 / A vigilância epidemiológica é essencial para o planejamento, implementação e avaliação das práticas de saúde pública. O monitoramento da mortalidade perinatal, dentro do sistema de vigilância epidemiológica, depende da qualidade dos dados dos sistemas de informação. Objetivo: Avaliar o sistema de vigilância de óbitos perinatais de Núcleo Hospitalar de Epidemiologia (NHE) de hospital terciário do interior paulista. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo transversal, realizado a partir dos 80 óbitos ocorridos entre abril de 2014 e abril de 2015 em NHE de hospital terciário do interior paulista. O referencial de avaliação utilizado foi proposto pelo Center for Disease Control americano para uso em saúde pública. Foram abordados os seguintes atributos: utilidade, simplicidade, qualidade dos dados, aceitabilidade, sensibilidade, representatividade, oportunidade, flexibilidade, valor preditivo positivo, estabilidade. Este estudo foi aprovado por Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa local. Resultados: Utilidade: o sistema é pouco utilizado, os dados não são devolvidos aos profissionais, não são utilizados na proposição de ações para evitar a ocorrência de novos casos nem na gestão em saúde. Qualidade dos dados: 6,2% das variáveis estavam em branco nas investigações; a taxa de concordância entre as investigações originais e as realizadas para o estudo foi de 79,1%, sendo que a categoria com maior discordância/ausência de dados foi assistência ao parto (35,8%). Simplicidade: a grande maioria (91,2%) das investigações foi realizada a partir de apenas uma fonte de dados e o tempo médio gasto na investigação de óbitos infantis foi 63,4 minutos com intervalo interquartil de 29,2 minutos e de óbito fetal, 27,3 minutos com intervalo interquartil de 12,5 minutos. Aceitabilidade: nenhum caso de óbito foi notificado pelos atores envolvidos. Sensibilidade: há problemas a serem superados pelo NHE e Núcleo de Vigilância Epidemiológica. Representatividade: 96,8% dos óbitos do município ocorreram no Hospital do estudo. Oportunidade: o tempo entre a ocorrência do óbito e o encaminhamento ao município da investigação completa foi de 15,7 dias. Flexibilidade: o sistema foi considerado flexível. Valor preditivo positivo: todas as investigações de 2015 foram realizadas a partir da Declaração de Óbito e eram compatíveis com os casos. Estabilidade: alguns problemas eventuais foram apontados, tecnológicos ou por deficiências de recursos humanos. Conclusões: Para aprimorar o sistema de vigilância de óbitos perinatais será necessário: implementar ações voltadas aos diferentes profissionais atuantes na área materno infantil do hospital, para que passem a informar os casos ao NHE e para aprimorar a qualidade dos registros de dados nos prontuários; implementar busca ativa de óbitos perinatais em todas as unidades hospitalares que atendem gestantes e recém-nascidos e buscar mecanismos que permitam identificar, além dos óbitos infantis, os óbitos fetais pelo sistema de informática do hospital. / Epidemiological surveillance is essential for the planning, implementation and evaluation of public health practices. The monitoring of perinatal mortality, within the system of epidemiological surveillance, depends on quality of data in information systems. Object: To evaluate the perinatal deaths surveillance system of the Hospital Nucleus of Epidemiology (HNE) of a tertiary referral hospital in the interior of São Paulo state. Methods: A transversal study was conducted based on 80 deaths between April 2014 and April 2015 at the HNE of a tertiary referral hospital in the interior of São Paulo state. Our evaluation references were proposed by the American Center for Disease Control to be used in public health. The following attributes were addressed: utility, simplicity, data quality, acceptability, sensitivity, representativeness, timeliness, flexibility, predictive value positive, and stability. This study was approved by the local Research Ethics Committee. Results: Utility: the system is little used, the data are not returned to professionals, they are used neither in action proposals in order to avoid the emergence of new cases, nor in health management. Data quality: 6.2% of variables were blank in investigations; the agreement rate between original investigations and the ones conducted for the study was 79.1%, of which the category with the greatest disagreement/lack of data was birth assistance (35.8%). Simplicity: the vast majority (91.2%) of investigations was conducted on a single source of data, and the average time spent on investigating infant deaths was 63.4 minutes, with interquartile range of 29.2 minutes and 27.3 minutes with interquartile range of 12.5 minutes on fetal deaths. Acceptability: no death was reported by the individuals involved. Sensitivity: there are issues to be overcome by the NHE and the Epidemiological Surveillance Nucleus. Representativeness: 96.8% of deaths in the municipality occurred in the hospital under study. timeliness: the time span between death and referring the complete investigation to the municipality was 15.7 days. Flexibility: the system was considered flexible. Predictive value positive: all investigations in 2015 were conducted based on the date of death and were compatible with the cases. Stability: some possible problems (of a technological nature or due to lack of staff) were highlighted. Conclusions: To have a better surveillance system for perinatal deaths, it will be necessary to: implement actions geared at different professionals working at the maternity and child ward of the hospital so that they begin to report cases to the HNE and improve the quality of records in patients’ files; to implement an active search of perinatal deaths in all hospital units dealing with pregnant women and newborns and to search for mechanisms that make it possible to identify, besides infant deaths, fetal deaths by means of the hospital’s IT system.

Thesis (M. A. (Nursing Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016. / Perinatal morbidity is a public health indicator of the level of equality in a country. Its prevention has major medical, social and economic costs. The aim of this study was to describe factors contributing to high perinatal morbidity rates in Mankweng-Polokwane Complex of the Capricorn district, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional research method was used to describe factors contributing to high perinatal morbidity. The study population comprised 80 registered midwives. Simple random sampling was used to select the 66 respondents. Data were collected using a self-developed questionnaire. Questionnaires were completed and returned, and only one questionnaire was not returned, and two were spoiled as they were incomplete, then 63 questionnaires were analysed. Ethical clearance was obtained from Medunsa Research and Ethics Committee, Limpopo Province Department of Health Ethics Committee and Hospital management. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 22) was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse and describe and summarise data whereby the findings were presented in the form of distribution tables and graphs. Inferential statistics were used based on probability and allowed judgement to be made about the variables. The study revealed that shortage of staff, absenteeism, resignation, bad staff-patient ratio and overcrowding of patients, long waiting periods for caesarean sections, long waiting period for babies operation, work overload of staff, lack of equipment and supplies, congenital anomalies, perinatal asphyxia, prematurity and neonatal sepsis were contributory factors to high perinatal morbidity rates. The study recommended that all staff should be able to resuscitate newborn babies, be able to use Partograph effectively, further research on factors contributing to high perinatal morbidity and education training on speciality qualifications. Key-words: Factors, High, Perinatal, Morbidity rates

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Background: Stillbirth rates are a health problem and they cause distractions in the families. There are more than 5 million perinatal deaths occurring each year, ending preventable stillbirths and neonatal deaths continues to form a significant part of the international public health agenda beyond 2015. There are several risk factors which are associated with stillbirths and this could be classified as maternal, foetal and external risk factors. Therefore, the focus of the study was on the prevalence and determinants of stillbirths in Dilokong Hospital of the Limpopo Province. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted which followed a quantitative approach. This study used secondary data from patient clinical records from the maternity ward in Dilokong Hospital. Comparison between groups for continuous and categorical variables was performed using student t-test, and chisquare test, respectively. P-value less than 0.05 at 95% confidence level was regarded as significant. Findings: The prevalence of stillbirth amongst women who delivered at Dilokong hospital between period 2016 and 2019 was 13.5 % (CI: 0.12 – 15.2). The prevalence of stillbirth is stratified by year and it shows that highest prevalence was in 2018 at 42.5% followed by 2017, 2019 and 2016 at 23.2%, 19.7% and 14.6 respectively. The prevalence of stillbirth increased with increasing maternal age from 0.4% in the age group ≤14 years to 26.2% then decreased to 21.5% in the age group 30 – 34 years. The prevalence of macerated stillbirth between period 2016 and 2019 was 11.0%, for fresh stillbirth was 2.6 %. There was significant association of age, marital status of pregnant women, level of education, parity, gravidity, syphilis and HIV status. Older women at age 18 years and above were 1.4 times more likely to have stillbirth and 1.9 times more likely to have fresh stillbirth at p<0.05. Single women were 3.3 times more likely to have stillbirth and 3 times more likely to have macerated stillbirth as compared to married women. Fresh stillbirth was not significantly associated with marital status of pregnant women. Educational level was significantly associated with both stillbirth and macerated stillbirth as those women with no education or having primary educational level were 12.3 times more likely to have stillbirth and 14 times more likely to have macerated stillbirth as compared to women with tertiary educational level. vi Women who had pregnancies that have each resulted in the birth of an infant capable of survival (parity) for four or more times were 2.4 times more likely to have stillbirth and women who were in their fifth or more pregnancies (gravida) were 1.8 times more likely to have stillbirth and 3 times more likely to have fresh stillbirth. Lastly, women who had tested positive for syphilis were 4.1 times more likely to have stillbirth and 3.7 times more likely to have macerated stillbirth and women who were HIV positive were 3.1 times more likely to have stillbirth and 2.3 times more likely to have macerated stillbirth. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of stillbirth was very high in the current study and there is a need for studies on stillbirth and related factors in rural areas of Limpopo Province. This study showed that maternal age, low educational level, marital status of pregnant women, high parity, gravidity, syphilis and HIV status were statistically associated with stillbirth. The factors associated with stillbirth in the current study are preventable if quality focused antenatal care, intrapartum care is provided. Therefore, identification of pregnancy complications and facilitation of proper method of delivery is key to improve quality of care. Efforts to reduce unacceptably high stillbirth in the current study are needed. This study recommends that pregnant mothers need to be educated about the dangers in pregnancy and importance of antenatal visits.