ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Induction of labor using oxytocin is a routine procedure in obstetrics used for vaginal delivery of gravid uterus. The purpose of this study was to analyze outcome of induction with oxytocin
and associated factors among mothers who delivered at term and post-term in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia.

METHODS: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted on records of 280 laboring mothers who delivered at term and post-term after induction with oxytocin from September 1 st , 2009 to August
31 st , 2011. The data were extracted using checklist and analyzed using SPSS windows version 16.0. The level of significance to declare relationship between the dependent and independent variables was set at p< 0.05.

RESULTS: Mean maximum oxytocin levels used until vaginal delivery and at time of diagnosis of failed induction were 55.0 ± 29.8 and 89.7± 11.6 miu/min respectively. Mean time elapsed from initiation of induction with oxytocin to vaginal delivery and till diagnosis of failed induction were 6:10 ± 3:09 and 9:57± 2:01 hours respectively. Failed induction was diagnosed in 21.4% of the mothers. Primigravidity, unfavorable and intermediate Bishop Scores determined at admission were found to be predictors of failed induction.

CONCLUSION: High rate of failed induction and high level of oxytocin use were found. Preparation of the cervix before commencing induction in primigravid women is recommended to improve success of
induction with the current protocol.

KEYWORDS: Oxytocin, Induction of labor, Failed induction, Successful induction, Bishop Score
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ejhs.v26i2.6