Risk factors for preterm labor in Al Gassim region, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Preterm birth occur for many different reasons. We performed this study to identify the important risk factors for preterm delivery, and to study the association between various risk factors and the occurrence of preterm labor in our population. This hospital-based study included 276 women, all pregnants delivered before 37 weeks gestation at the five main hospitals in Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia during the period February to July 1997. Another 828 term deliveries [delivered at or later than 37 weeks gestation] were randomly selected from the same hospitals and -during the same period as the control group. Information was gathered about demographic factors, obstetric history and current pregnancy. Associations with preterm labor were evaluated by univariate tests and multivariate analysis with logistic regression. The current study has confirmed that twins, previous preterm delivery, maternal age < 20 years, previous 2nd trimester abortion, pyelonepritis placenta previa, body weight smoking either active or passive are the most omportant risk factors for preterm labor in our population