Comparison of Factors Associated With Preterm and Term Birth at University College Hospital Ibadan Oyo State

Abstract Background About 15 million babies are delivered prematurely (before 37 complete weeks of pregnancy) worldwide. Nearly 60% of preterm deliveries occur in Africa and Asia. A high proportion of preterm babies die during their first five years of life, and the majority of these deaths are unreported, especially in Africa. Objectives This study compared women with term and preterm births at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, to identify factors associated with preterm birth. Materials and methods This was a retrospective case-control study involving women who gave birth at UCH Ibadan, a tertiary health institution in Nigeria, from January 2018 to December 2022. The cases were women who delivered before 37 weeks of gestation, whereas the controls were women who delivered at 37 weeks or beyond. The medical records of 380 eligible women during the study were systematically selected, with 190 cases and 190 controls. The selection was matched by age, parity, and booking status. A proforma was used to extract data from the case notes. The data collection was done by a trained nurse. Descriptive and test of association analysis were performed using the IBM SPSS statistical software. Results The mean age of the women was 31.2 + 5.588 years. Individuals who had a history of preterm birth were 51 times more likely to have preterm birth (OR 51.27, 95% CI 26.03, 101.0). Previous Cesarean Section (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.31, 3.94) and inadequate antenatal care (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.54, 3.81). Preterm birth will more likely occur among Individuals with a low level of education (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.21, 2.97);. low family income,(OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.76, 4.41); preeclampsia, multiple gestations, and premature rupture of membranes were about five times more, bleeding during pregnancy and sepsis were 2 or 3 times more likely to result in preterm birth, multiple gestations (8.8 times), pregnancy-induced hypertension 6.7 times more likely to result in preterm babies. Women who had a previous history of preterm birth were 7.1 times more likely to have preterm birth. Likewise, those who had inadequate antenatal care were 2.9 times more likely, and those with Low family income were 2.9 times more likely. Conclusion The study showed some dissimilarities in the social and obstetric characteristics of women who had preterm and term births. Medical disorders and poor antenatal care were risk factors for preterm birth.