RISK FACTORS FOR PRETERM LABOUR; AN UNMATCHED CASE CONTROL STUDY

Background: Preterm labour continues to be the leading cause of perinatal and neonatal morbidity; representing one of the principal targets for obstetric health care and challenging the obstetricians and health policy makers to tackle this problem. Objectives: This work was designed to find out effects of selected sociodemographic, maternal, service-related and psychological risk factors forpreterm labour. Methods: This was a hospital based unmatched case control study Findings: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy(OR 3.92:, 95% CI:2.72-5.65), maternal height < 153 cm(OR:2.30, 95% CI:1.61-3.29), polyhydroamnios(OR:2.45, 95% CI:1.69-3.54),twin gestation(OR:2.29, 95% CI:1.58-3.34),threatened abortions(OR:3.14, 95% CI:1.62-6.06) , maternal age < 38 years (OR:2.13, 95% CI:1.27-3.58),family history of prematurity(OR:1.5, 95% CI:1.34-4.73) Conclusion: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, maternal height < 153 cm, polyhydroamnios, twin gestation, threatened abortions, PROM,maternal age >38 years and family history of prematurity wererisk factors forpreterm labour.