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Research Article Volume 16 Issue 1
High-risk fertility practices and associated factors among reproductive age women in North Shoa Zone, Central Ethiopia
Befekadu Tesfaye Oyato, Husen Zakir Abasimel, Belay Merkeb Zewude, Tariku Regea, Tsedenya Abera Gebretsadik, Bayisa Boja
Received: December 31, 2025 | Published: March 25, 2026
Citation: Oyato BT, Abasimel HZ, Zewude BM, et al. High-risk fertility practices and associated factors among reproductive age women in North Shoa Zone, Central Ethiopia. J Pediatr Neonatal Care. 2026;16(1):30-37. DOI: 10.15406/jpnc.2026.16.00615
Abstract
Introduction: High rates of maternal high-risk fertility behavior have various inimical repercussions for both the mother and the child. The magnitude of high-risk fertility behavior in Ethiopia exhibited a gradual decline despite the government’s efforts to increase access to high-quality family planning services. This study, therefore, aimed to assess maternal highrisk fertility behavior and associated factors among women of reproductive age in North Shoa Zone, Oromia, Central Ethiopia, 2024. Assessing the drivers of high-risk fertility behavior and addressing them through focused prevention initiatives will eventually help reduce mother and newborn mortality and morbidity. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in selected kebeles in the North Shoa Zone between May 15 and June 15, 2024, with 608 women of reproductive age selected by systematic sampling. The statistical software STATA version 17 was applied for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were fitted. The adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval was applied. Result: The practice of high-risk fertility behavior was established to be 62.7% (58.7, 66.6). Mothers with no formal education (AOR = 4.65; 95% CI: 2.46, 8.78; P = 0.001), primary education (AOR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.29, 3.38; P = 0.003), multiple gestation (AOR = 3.22; 95% CI: 1.33, 7.80; P = 0.009), unwanted pregnancies (AOR = 2.44; 95% CI: 1.01, 5.87; P = 0.047), stillbirth history (AOR = 3.20; 95% CI: 1.55, 6.63; P = 0.002), and non-autonomy regarding household decisions (AOR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.11, 2.55; P = 0.014) were the predictors that were independently linked with the high-risk fertility actions. Conclusion: The maternal high-risk fertility behavior reported in this study is comparable to previous studies. Healthcare providers are urged to give more emphasis to those women who endured stillbirth as they require psychological reassurance, extensive counseling, including their families, and follow-up to reduce the emotional trauma, and ease the pressure they may face from the society. Programs and interventions on women of reproductive age with a focus on championing women education and enhancing women’s decision making abilities are largely recommended.
Keywords: high-risk fertility behavior, women of reproductive-age, North Shoa, Ethiopia
©2026 Oyato, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.