Predictors of stillbirths in Bangladesh: evidence from the 2004–2014 nation-wide household surveys

BACKGROUND Globally, stillbirth remains a significant public health issue, particularly in developing countries such as Bangladesh. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the potential predictors of stillbirths in Bangladesh over a ten-year period. METHODS The Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys data for the years 2004, 2007, 2011 and 2014 (n = 29,094) were used for the study to investigate the predictors of stillbirths. Stillbirth was examined against a set of community, socio-economic and child characteristics, using a multivariable logistic regression model that adjusted for cluster and sampling variability. RESULTS The pooled rate of stillbirth in Bangladesh was 28 in 1000 births (95% CI: 22, 34). Stillbirth rates were higher in rural compared to urban areas in Bangladesh. Mothers who had a secondary or higher level of education (OR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.43-0.82, P = 0.002) and those with primary education (OR = 0.66, 95%CI: 0.55-0.80, P < 0.001) were less likely to experience stillbirths compared to mothers with no education. Mothers with more than two children were significantly less likely to have stillbirths compared to mothers with one child. Those from poor households reported increased odds of stillbirth compared to those from rich households. CONCLUSION Our analysis indicated that no maternal education, primiparity and poor household were predictors of stillbirths in Bangladesh. A collaborative effort is needed to reduce stillbirth rates among these high-risk groups in Bangladesh, with the socio-economic and health-related Sustainable Development Goals providing a critical vehicle for the co-ordination of this work.