Prevalence of preterm delivery and associated factors among women who
delivered a live baby at Muhimbili National Hospital,Dar es
Salaam,Tanzania
Abstract
Background: Preterm delivery is a major global health concern that
continues to be a primary focus in obstetric and pediatric units in
Sub-Saharan African countries. Preterm birth complications are the
largest cause of mortality in children under the age of five worldwide
and higher in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to
investigate the magnitude of preterm delivery and its associated factors
at Tanzania’s Muhimbili National Hospital, a tertiary hospital.
Methodology: An institutional based cross-sectional study was undertaken
at Muhimbili National Hospital’s maternity ward in the year 2021.The
study enrolled 422 mothers who met the criteria. Mothers were
interviewed face to face using a structured questionnaire, other
clinical data were collected from medical records and the registry. Chi
square (x2) and Fisher exact tests were used to evaluate the associated
factors. The strength of association between the independent and
dependent variables was determined using a logistic regression model.
Results: In this stu the proportion of mothers who had preterm delivery
was 19.91%. Previous preterm birth (aOR=5.4, 95% CI 2.53-11.34), short
Interpregnancy interval (aOR=3.0, 95% CI 3.08-9.03), maternal ANC
visits less than 4 contacts (aOR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.79-8.38),
pregnancy-related hypertension (aOR = 10.8, 95% CI 5.75, 18.33),
antepartum hemorrhage (aOR = 14.5, 95% CI 4.92-24.27), preterm prelabor
rupture of membranes (aOR =5.9, 95% CI 1.94-14.12), multiple pregnancy
(aOR =10.7, 95% CI ,10.21-92.69) and maternal urinary tract infection
(aOR =3.1, 95% CI,1.94-8.15) found to be independent factors associated
with preterm deliver