Abstract:
Background: Preterm birth is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as childbirth
happening before 37 weeks gestational age. Every year, fifteen million infants are born
prematurely across the world. Previously done researches mainly used secondary data to identify
risk factors of preterm birth. Researches done on this area indicates not similar findings across
different geographical settings and different periods.
Objective: To identify determinants of preterm birth among women who gave birth in South
West Shoa zone Hospitals, Oromia, Ethiopia from February 1, 2023 to March 15, 2023.
Method: Unmatched facility based case-control study was conducted. The sample was 127
cases and 381 controls with a total of 508 study participants. Cases were selected by taking all
cases during data collection and a systematic sampling technique was used for controls. The data
was collected by an interviewer-administered questionnaire. After data collection, data were
checked for completeness and coded, cleaned, and entered using EPI INFO version 7 and
exported to SPSS version 21 for data analysis. Texts, tables, and proportions were used to
present categorical data. Binary Logistic regression was carried out to identify independently
associated factors of preterm birth. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness fit test was checked and p value 0.205. Finally, in multivariable binary logistic regression analysis, adjusted odds ratio
(AOR) with 95% CI and p-values less than 0.05 were used to identify significant variables.
Results: - A total of 127 cases and 381controls participated in this study with a response rate
of 100%. After adjusting for covariates the following variables were associated with preterm
birth. Did not consume Milk and milk products (AOR: 4.91, 95% CI: 2.70-8.91), History of
abortion (AOR: 2.15, 95%CI: 1.03-4.49), mid upper arm circumference <23cm (AOR: 2.19,
95% CI: 1.15-4.15). Didn’t have Antenatal care follow up (AOR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.09-3.92),
residing in rural area (AOR: 6.65, 95%CI: 3.23-13.70), age older than 35years old (AOR: 5.64,
95%CI: 2.49-12.79), living in rent house (AOR:4.52 ,95% CI:2.20-9.31) and No additional food
(AOR: 4.01, 95%CI: 2.21-7.29) were determinants, significantly associated with preterm birth.
Conclusion: - This study evidence that: age greater than or equal to thirty five, living in rural
areas, not attending antenatal care, history of abortion, Mid Upper Arm Circumference less than
twenty three, not consuming additional food during pregnancy and living in a rental house were
determinants of preterm birth.
