Risk Factors Associated with Preterm Birth at a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: An Unmatched Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND

Preterm birth contributes to significant neonatal and under-five mortality and morbidities. This study assessed the risk factors associated with preterm births at a tertiary teaching hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

METHODS

Case-control study to compare risk factors of preterm birth amongst 140 women with preterm deliveries as cases and 280 women with term deliveries as controls. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done using STATA version 17 software.

RESULTS

The proportion of preterm deliveries was 17.9%. Women with less than four antenatal visits were three times more likely to have a preterm birth than those with four or more attendances (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.95-6.57, P < 0.001). The odds of preterm birth increased among women who experienced antepartum haemorrhage (aOR 25.7, 95% CI 12.72-52.03, P < 0.001), pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (aOR 29.9, 95% CI 7.78-115.41, P < 0.001) and preterm membrane rupture (aOR 62.8; 95% CI 23.51-168.21, P < 0.001). Among multiparous women, short interpregnancy intervals, prior preterm birth, or stillbirth increased the odds of preterm birth.

CONCLUSION

Poor antenatal attendance, obstetric complications, and premature rupture of membranes were among the identified risk factors. All could be addressed by quality antenatal care.