prevalence and risk factors of preterm birth in Ardebil, Iran

Background: The objective of our study was to determine The Prevalence and risk factors associated with preterm birth in Ardabil, IranMethods: a case – control study was conducted between Nov 2010 – July 2011 in three maternal hospital in Ardabil. all of the live newborn during study period were investigate, Gestational age was calculated using either the first day of the last normal menstrual period or estimated by obstetric ultrasound . of 6705 live births during the study period 346 births occurred < 37 week and was taken as a case and 589 normal neonates was taken as a control. data were obtained after delivery from review of prenatal and hospital delivery records by trained midwifes, using a self designed questionnaire, Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and chi-square test were used to compare distribution of variables between the groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to obtain the magnitude of association between the independent variables and preterm birth Results: The incidence of preterm birth was 5.1% and history of Previous preterm birth ( p=0.000, OR=10/4, CI: 3.25-33.4), Hypertension during pregnancy (p=0.004,OR=6.1, CI:1.8-20.9), Preeclampsia (p=0.004,OR=5.06, CI:1.7-15.0), Sexual intercourse 24/ h before onset of preterm labor(p=0.001,OR=5.1, CI:2.0-13.2), Oligohydramnios (p=0.001,OR=4.57, CI:1.92-10.87), Spouse abuse (p=0.035,OR=3.4CI:1.08-10.7), Premature rupture of membrane(p=0.000, OR=3.1, CI:1.9-4.9), Bleeding or spotting during pregnancy(p=0.014,OR=2.26CI:1.17-4.34), Urinary tract infection in 26-30weeks of pregnancy(p=0.024, OR=1.98 CI:1.09-3.59), Previous abortion(p=0.038, OR=1.70 , CI:1.03-2.83), Middle and lower social class (p=0.031, OR=1.56, CI:1.04-2.34) were determined as risk factors for preterm birth respectively.Conclusion: Early detection and intensive care of women at risk for preeclampsia and women with chronic hypertension, Prenatal detection and early treatment of infections, especially urinary and genital infections, provide health and nutritional education to middle and lower social class women, Increase awareness about sexual health in women at risk of preterm delivery, Sensitization and education of husbands and other family members about the importance of maintaining peace in the family to achieve a healthy pregnancy, intensive care of women with history of abortion , preterm labor or bleeding in pregnancy and Encourage women at risk of preterm birth to delivery in hospitals with neonatal intensive care unit Can play an effective role in reducing preterm birth and subsequent death in this area.

Keywords:

preterm birth , maternal risk factors , fetal risk factors