Prevalence and Probable Risk Factors for Preterm Birth: A Hospital Based Study

Background and objectives: The preterm birth rates are still high commonly in poor communities which contributed to high infantile co-morbidities and mortalities. The aim of this study was to measure prevalence of preterm birth in a single tertiary center and to identify associated factors related to preterm birth. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the preterm rate and a case- control study was conducted to examine risk factors for preterm birth in Labor ward Maternity Teaching Hospital in Erbil city-Kurdistan Region/Iraq through the period of one year from 1st of May, 2022 to 30th of April, 2023 on 13841 pregnant women with live birth; 1512 women with preterm birth and 12329 women with term birth. Results: Preterm labor prevalence in the hospital was (10.9%). Main detected risk factors of preterm birth were increased age (2.8%, p<0.001), shorter interpregnancy interval (22,5%, p<0.001), history of preterm labor (29.7%, p<0.001), history of miscarriage(21.6%, p<0.001), history of stillbirth (7.5%, p<0.001), history of previous caesarean section (36%, p<0.001), preeclampsia (11.2%, P<0,001), bleeding (p<0.001), premature rupture of membranes (34.7%, p<0.001) and oligohydramnios (26.4% , p<0.001) The cesarean section was related to high incidence of preterm birth (41.6%, p<0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of preterm birth in Maternity Teaching hospital located in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq is within acceptable range.