Evaluation of Risk Factors Associated with Ectopic Pregnancy in Our Sociodemographic Setup: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Women in this region may have a different risk factor profile for ectopic pregnancy compared to women from other countries because they have specific characteristics (such as cultural, religious, and traditional values), socio-demographic determinants, sexual behavior and beliefs, and a preference for contraception. The present study has been objectively conducted to assess the various risk factors of ectopic pregnancy among women of Jammu region. Methods: This was a one year prospective observational study conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, SMGS Hospital, GMC Jammu with effect from February 2022 to November 2022. The patient provided written, fully informed consent. A total of 120 patients were included in the study in which 60 patients were cases and 60 were controls. Results: The risk of ectopic pregnancy was also found to increase with a number of risk factors, such as patients with lower socioeconomic status (56% vs 13.3%; p-value0.001), patients with history of abortions (23.3% vs. 8.3%;p-value=0.024*), patients with tuberculosis (13.3% vs. 1.7%; p-value< 0.001*), patients with endometriosis (11.7% vs. 1.7%; p-value=0.028), patients with infertility (18.3% vs. 3.3%; p-value=0.008*), patients with IUCD (13.3% vs1.7% ; p-value=0.015) and patients with previous ectopic pregnancy (11.7% vs. 1.7%;p=0.028). Conclusion: The current study showed that the primary risk factors for the incidence of ectopic pregnancies among women of Jammu region include advanced maternal age, low socioeconomic position, prior ectopic pregnancies, usage of IUCDs, history of abortions, and infertility Keywords: Ectopic pregnancy, risk factor for ectopic pregnancy, contraception, women of Jammu region