Risk Factors Contributed to Preterm Birth

Abstract

Background: Preterm labor is labor that happens too early, before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy^. Premature birth is also known as preterm birth (or less than 37 weeks-full term is 40 weeks). Important growth and development occur throughout pregnancy especially in the final months and weeks.

Objectives: To assess preterm birth; and to determine risk factors contributed to preterm birth.

Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out to identify the maternal risk factors which contribute to occurrence of preterm birth. A purposive sample of one hundred ( 100 ) women at age of (14-37) years, were selected with (60) women of preterm birth in Al- Zahra 'a teaching hospital and (40) women of preterm birth in Al- Hakeem general hospital at Al- Najaf Al-Ashraf Province, for the period of 1^st February to 31^st March, (2012). The sample was collected through interviewed of the involved women with their premature babies. Questionnaire format. Validity of the questionnaire was determined by conducting a pilot study. The data was analyzed through the descriptive statistical method ( frequencies and percentages).

Results: The study revealed that age of mothers was ranged between (20-34) years, and (the highest percentages of the sample were illiterate; most of them were housewives with a moderate socioeconomic status). sexual activity with (2-3) times per week (80%), and medical diseases had also a contributed factor to preterm birth especially anemia (31%).

Conclusion: The passive smoking were more reliable to preterm labor.

Recommendation: The study recommends to emphasize on efforts to prevent preterm births should be focus on reducing modifiable risk factors; improving health education programs for the pregnant women in prenatal and post natal periods as early as possible; and improving the quality of health care services at the primary health care centers to pregnant women. Emphasizing on the importance role of a nurse in reducing the incidence of preterm birth among the pregnant women.