Abstract

EFFECTS OF INTER PREGNANCY INTERVAL ON PRE TERM BIRTH AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG POST PARTUM MOTHERS WHO GAVE BIRTH AT FELEGEHIOWT REFERRAL HOSPITAL.

Dr. BelaYnew W., Teumay Abraha, Getachew G.*, Dr. Mohamed Kedir

ABSTRACT

Background: Preterm birth is a major public health burden whose prevalence continues to rise. Prematurity remains the most significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. There are several risk factors for preterm labor and premature birth. Some of these risk factors are “modifiable. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of inter pregnancy interval on pre term birth and associated factors among post partum mothers. Methods: Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted on laboring mothers. Data were collected by using interviewer administer questionnaire. The data were cleaned manually daily and entered in to EPI INFO Version 3.5.3 and then transferred to SPSS for windows version 16.0 for further analysis. Frequencies, proportions and summary statistics were used to describe the study population in relation to relevant variables. Association between dependent and independent variables were assessed by using multiple logistic regressions. Result: About 60(33.5%) mothers had more than five births and 51(28.5%) of mothers had pregnancy interval less than 24 months. Almost one in three pregnancies was unplanned. About 21(11.7%) mothers had no Ante Natal Care (ANC) follow up and 30(16.8%) of mothers had not vaccinated for Tetanus Toxoid (TT) at all. Pre term birth and still birth were occurred in 11.7% and 16.2% of the delivery cases respectively. Mothers who gave pre term birth had siginificant association with pre eclamptic/eclamptic 16(76.2%) with [AOR=21.7, 95% CI (4.26, 110.15] and residence 14(66.7%) with [AOR=3.32, 95% CI (1. 17, 9.46] had pre term deliveries respectively. Conclusion: Considerable number of mothers gave pre term deliveries in this study. One in four mothers had pregnancy interval less than 24 months. One in three pregnancies was unplanned. Considerable mothers had no ANC follow up and significant numbers of mothers were not vaccinated for TT at all. Residence and pre eclampsia/eclampsia were the most risk factors.

Keywords: Preterm birth, pre eclamptic/eclamptic, Frequencies, proportions.