Risk Factors Associated with Preterm Labor among Pregnant Women at Sichon Hospital in Nakhon Si Thamarat Province

Abstract

Rate of infants weighing less than 2,500 grams resulting from premature birth at Sichon Hospital. Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in 2020 - 2022 increases respectively. In this study, the researcher was interested in studying risk factors for premature birth among pregnant women who had preterm birth at Sichon Hospital. Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. This was a retrospective analytical study with a controlled group. This research was a retrospective case-control study from the medical record and birth registries from October 2019 to September 2022. This research was a retrospective case-control study from the medical record and birth registries from October 2019 to September 2022. The population were 3,063 people and the samples were 381 people who were selected by purposive sampling.  One hundred twenty-seven pregnant women had preterm birth, and 254 pregnant women were at full term. The research tools included the risk factor record forms for preterm birth. Clinical data of pregnant women were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, including, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Risk factors for preterm birth were analyzed using Univariable and Multivariable Logistic Regression methods. Statistical significance was determined at p-value < 0.05. The results revealed that risk factors significantly predicted preterm birth included insufficient prenatal care according to quality prenatal care criteria (OR=3.170, 95%CI=1.647-9.865) and having a history of preterm birth (OR=7.571, 95). %CI=4.654-33.657) and the history of miscarriage (OR=15.53, 95%CI=11.68-34.671). This study found that antenatal care that did not meet the criteria for quality antenatal care, having a history of premature birth and having a history of miscarriage were the risk factors associated with premature birth. Therefore, compatible with the efficiency of screening risk groups should be proactively performed. Surveillance and monitoring of prenatal care compatible with quality prenatal care criteria for pregnant women with these risk factors will effectively reduce the rate of preterm birth at Sichon Hospital in the future.