Prevalence and risk factors of preterm labor in health educational centers of northwest Iran (2009-2010)

Abstract

Preterm labor is a major cause of infant mortality and morbidity. Complications of preterm labor may be followed by a lifetime disability; also taking care of premature infant needs a wide range of equipment and services. So calculating the prevalence and defining risk factors of preterm labor can lead to develop preventive methods. Therefore aim of this study is calculating the prevalence and defining risk factors of preterm labor. This is a descriptive-analytic study in which 960 pregnant women referred to clinical-educational centers of Ardabil Province were assessed during a 6 months period; 480 of them had preterm labor and 480 of them had full-term labor. The information was gathered through interviews and patient's medical profile. Finally the results were evaluated with SPSS 15, chi square, Mann-whitney U and regression statistical test. Prevalence of preterm labor was 13.4% and there was a statistically Significant relation between preterm labor and predisposing factors such as types of pregnancy (wanted or unwanted), degree of consanguine, education level, history of infertility, drug consumption, pyelonephritis during pregnancy, eclampsia, multiparity, anemia, uterine anomalies, multigravidity, gestational age, cervical defects, neonate's gender, birth weight and disorders of amniotic fluid. But there was no statistically significant relation between preterm labor and factors such as residence condition (rural and urban), smoking, indirect exposure to tobacco smoke, iron and folic acid supplements, weight, height and age of mother, body mass index(BMI), Vaginal bleeding, urinary and uterine infections, duration of work time, history of preterm labor, rupture of membranes, Apgar score, type of present delivery, periodontal problems, mother's occupation, psychological pressure, history of abortion and stillbirth and history of surgeries and diseases. Out of this study's findings, multiparity, multigravidity, anemia, drug consumption, type of pregnancy, consanguine, eclampsia have been defined as risk factors of preterm labor. These risk factors are relatively preventable; they can be reduced with pre-marriage consultation, health care before pregnancy and effective prenatal care.