An episiotomy is the most common obstetric procedure, performed when the clinical circumstances place the patient at a high risk of high-degree laceration. However, episiotomy should be done with reasonable indication to lower perineal tear with fewer complications. Despite its adverse effects, the magnitude of episiotomy is increasing due to different factors. Therefore, this study aims to determine the recent extent of episiotomy and identify associated factors among women who gave Southern Ethiopia delivery.

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. A semistructured questionnaire was used to collect data. This was supplemented with a review of the labor and delivery records. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the magnitude of episiotomy. Value ≤ 0.05 was used to determine the level of statistically significant variables. 

The magnitude of episiotomy was 68.0% which is higher than the recommended practice by WHO. The study participants’ occupational status, marital status, educational status, parity, birth weight, and BMI were significantly associated with the magnitude of episiotomy in the study area. 

Reference: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jp/2020/8395142/

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