Preterm Birth and Its Associated Factors among Mothers Delivered at Lira Regional Referral Hospital in Lira District

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of preterm birth and its associated factors among mothers delivered at Lira Regional Referral Hospital in Lira District in 2022. A hospital-based cross-sectional study and non-probability systematic sampling technique were employed to assess the prevalence of preterm birth and its associated factors among mothers delivered at Lira Regional Referral Hospital between August 2022 and November 2022. The normative sample was N-325; however, only 278 were analysed. Preterm birth and its associated factors were measured using a face-to-face pre-test interview, and additional data was extracted from medical records, an antenatal care chart, and a baby chart. Data was collected, coded, sorted, and processed using manual compilation and analysed using SPSS Version 25. Results showed that the prevalence of preterm birth was at 14%, mid-upper arm circumference p>0.000, baby delivered p>0.002, birth weight p>0.000, antenatal care number of times attended p>0.001, urinary tract infection p>0.000, premature rupture of membrane p>0.000, antepartum haemorrhage p>0.000, and pregnancy-induced hypertension p>0.000 were significantly associated with preterm birth. Preterm birth was more likely to occur in mothers who didn’t attend ANC and was higher in mothers who got PROM, UTI, APH, and PIH. Early detection of diseases, especially hypertension, hyperemesis gravidarum, and UTI, as well as improving health care quality delivery and carrying out community health education and awareness campaigns, can reduce the prevalence of preterm birth. Keywords: Preterm birth, Lira Regional Referral Hospital, Mothers, Antenatal care, Hypertension.