Kiliopa, Elly O2019-09-052019-09-052018Kiliopa, E.O. (2018). The effects of morphology of the placenta and associated maternal factors on foetal birth outcome in Dodoma region, Tanzania. Dodoma: The University of Dodomahttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12661/1616Dissertation (MSc Midwifery)Background: The word “placenta” is a Latin word and the Greek equivalent word is “Plakons” meaning “flat cake on a plate”. The placenta is a fascinating organ of foetal origin; It plays a pivotal mediatory role during pregnancy by being intimately connected to the mother and foetus. Objectives: To explore the effects of the morphology of the placenta and associated maternal factors on foetal birth outcome in Dodoma region, Tanzania. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: This study involved 236 full term singleton pregnant women and their newborns at the Dodoma Region Tanzania. Descriptive and inferential statistics for morphology of the placenta and associated maternal factors on foetal birth outcome were done. A checklist was used for data collection. Results: Out of 236 women with singleton pregnancy at full term and live birth were recruited for the study and the findings showed that the mean score of the maternal BMI was 24.25±131.605 and was positively correlated with placental weight, thickness, cotyledons count and birth weight. The mean fetal birth weight was 3.051kg ± 0.511kg and the mean placental weight was 524.24g ± 131.605. The number of cotyledons ranged between 12 and 26 with a mean count of 19.61 ± 2.895. The mean 1st and 5th minute Apgar scores were 7.57±1.362 and 8.76±1.162 respectively. Placental weight was positively correlated with the foetal birth weight (R=58; p<0.001) and the heavier the placenta, the higher the number of cotyledons (R=51; p<0.001). The gestational age at term did not influence the fetal birth weight (R=0.04; p= 0.84. Conclusion: This study supports the hypothesis that the maternal factors known to influence foetal growth and birth weight also are determinants of placental morphology.Maternal factorsFoetal birth outcomePlacenta morphologyPlacenta structureDodoma regionTanzaniaPlacentaFoetal growthBirth weightDissertation