Abstract Background Low- and middle-income countries still have unacceptably high rates that makes it imperative to identify the factors that predict stillbirth so as to effectively develop interventions. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and predictors of stillbirth among mothers who gave birth in the Tumu municipality in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Methods Using a retrospective cross-sectional study design, 1,240 women who had vaginal deliveries had their medical records examined. From January 1 to December 31, 2019, information on vaginal deliveries was gathered from the hospital's records. The data were summarised using descriptive statistics, and the relationship between maternal and obstetric characteristics and foetal outcomes was investigated using Pearson's chi-square/Fisher's exact test. To evaluate predictors, logistic regression was fitted at a 95% confidence interval (95% CI), and the results were reported using odds ratio. Results Among the 1204 women, 626 (52%) of them were aged 20–29 years; 832 (70%) of mothers were multigravida and 878 (73.50%) attended ANC between 4 to 8 times. There were 1187 (98.6%) live births and the overall prevalence of foetal mortality was 14.12 per 1000 total births. Women who attended ANC between 4–8 times were 91% less likely to record a foetal mortality (AOR 0.090 (0.024–0.342) p-value = < 0.001). Women whose labour was not monitored using a partograph were more than 17 times likely to record a foetal mortality (AOR 17.156, 95% CL: 4.981–59.090, p-value = < 0.001). Conclusion The neonatal mortality rate is 14.12 per 1000 live births, with better outcomes for pregnant women who attend ANC 4–8 times. The likelihood of foetal deaths in labors without partograph monitoring is 17 times higher. Refresher training on patographs and early hospital arrival are recommended.

BACKGROUND:The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has caused a lot of havoc since the early 1970s, affecting 37.6 million people worldwide. The 90-90-90 treatment policy was adopted in Ghana in 2015 with the overall aim to end new infections by 2030, and to improve the life expectancy of HIV seropositive individuals. With the scale-up of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, the lifespan of People Living with HIV (PLWH) on antiretrovirals (ARVs) is expected to improve. In rural districts in Ghana, little is known about the survival probabilities of PLWH on ARVs. Hence, this study was conducted to estimate the survival trends of PLWH on ARVs. METHODS:A retrospective evaluation of data gathered across ARV centres within Tatale and Zabzugu districts in Ghana from 2016 to 2020 among PLWH on ARVs. A total of 261 participants were recruited for the study. The data was analyzed using STATA software version 16.0. Lifetable analysis and Kaplan-Meier graph were used to assess the survival probabilities. "Stptime" per 1000 person-years and the competing risk regression were used to evaluate mortality rates and risk. RESULTS:The cumulative survival probability was 0.8847 (95% CI: 0.8334-0.9209). The overall mortality rate was 51.89 (95% CI: 36.89-72.97) per 1000 person-years. WHO stage III and IV [AHR: 4.25 (95%CI: 1.6-9.71) p = 0.001] as well as age group (50+ years) [AHR: 5.02 (95% CI: 1.78-14.13) p = 0.002] were associated with mortality. CONCLUSION:Survival probabilities were high among the population of PLWH in Tatale and Zabzugu with declining mortality rates. Clinicians should provide critical attention and care to patients at HIV WHO stages III and IV and intensify HIV screening at all entry points since early diagnosis is associated with high survival probabilities.