prevalence of episiotomy and its associated factors among mothers who gave birth at public health facility in gondar city, northwest ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Background & aim: extension of the incision, vulvar hematoma, infection, wounddehiscence and dyspareunia are some complications of performing episiotomy.despite its adverse effects, the prevalence of episiotomy is increasing in somesettings due to different factors. therefore, this study aimed to determine theprevalence of episiotomy and its associated factors among mothers who gave birthat gondar public health facility, northwest ethiopia.methods: this, cross-sectional study was conducted among 411 mothers fromseptember 1 to november 1, 2021. data were gathered using a structuredquestionnaire administered by an interviewer and supplemented with a deliverychart review at postnatal room. binary and multivariable logistic regressions wereperformed to identify predictor variables. p-value ≤ 0.05 used to determine thelevel of statistically significant of outcome variable.results: a total of 411 study participants were interviewed, with a response rate of100%. the prevalence of episiotomy was found to be 52.8%, with a 95%ci of 47.7–57.4). being a perimiparous mother (aor = 8.95; 95% ci: 4.65, 17.20), laborcomplications (aor = 3.03; 95% ci: 1.21, 7.62), fetal distress (aor = 4.51; 95% ci:2.71, 6.49), and fetal weight ≥ 4 kilogram (aor = 3.42; 95% ci: 2.64, 6.62) weresignificantly associated with episiotomy.conclusion: the rate of episiotomy was higher than the world healthorganization's maximum limit of recommendation (10%). therefore, as per ourfindings we recommend that clinicians emphasize on use of standard guidelinesand clear indication of performing episiotomy to reduce the rate of unnecessaryprocedures.