Factors Influencing the Incidence of Pre-term Birth in Calabar, Nigeria.

Women who had pre-term birth in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, over a two and a half year period were studied. The aim was to establish the factors influencing the incidence of pre-term birth in Calabar. Factors which significantly increase the incidence of pre-term delivery included: previous induced abortion [P < 0.0001], nulliparity [P < 0.001], out of wedlock birth [P < 0.05] and lack of antenatal care [P < 0.01]. Women with multiple pregnancy [P < 0.001] or previous pre-term delivery [P < 0.01], have a significantly high risk for pre-term birth. Antenatal complications [P < 0.0001] particularly anaemia [P < 0.001] or malaria [P < 0.05] in the index pregnancy constitute risk factors for pre-term delivery. However, educational status, social class and previous spontaneous abortion did not seem to significantly influence the incidence of pre-term birth in this study [P < 0.05]. Wider use of family planning, less restrictive abortion laws and training of doctors and nurses on the use of manual vacuum aspiration in the management of post-abortion complications may help reduce the incidence of pre-term birth in Calabar. Replacing pyrimethamine chemoprophylaxis for malaria in pregnancy by intermittent treatment of malaria with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine and deworming our women during antenatal care may also help reduce the incidence of pre-term birth in our community.