Prevalence and risk factors of preterm birth in Pakistan
A. Hanifa, Tahira Ashrafb, M. Pervaizc, Nesrin Gülerd
- aUniversity Institute of Public Health, The University of Lahore, Pakistan
- bUniversity Institute of Radiological Sciences & Medical Imaging Technology (UIRSMIT), Pakistan
- cHajvery University, Lahore, Pakistan
- dSakarya University, Turkey
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To find prevalence of preterm birth in Pakistan and to explore its related risk factors. METHODS: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1, 2016, to September 30, 2017, at Hajvery University, Lahore, Pakistan, and data was collected from Obstetrics and Gynaecology departments of various hospitals in four provinces of the country. To find risk factors of preterm birth, data was divided into two groups: Group-1 consisted cases with preterm birth defined as gestational age <37 weeks on ultrasonography; and Group-2 consisted controls with full-term birth defined as gestational age 37-41 weeks. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: There were 1,691 females with mean gestational age of 37.3±2.062 weeks. The prevalence of preterm birth was 366(21.64%). Top 5 major risk factors identified were Placenta Previa (odds ratio: 51.97), maternal thyroid disease (odds ratio: 18.46), being a minority (odds ratio: 7.73), foetal distress (odds ratio: 7.19), and maternal asthma (odds ratio: 6.23). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of preterm birth was found to be high with several modifiable and controllable risk factors.
TL;DRThe prevalence of preterm birth in Pakistan was found to be high with several modifiable and controllable risk factors. (Semantic Scholar)