Prevalence and Associated Factors of Premature Birth at Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children: a cross-sectional study

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of pediatrics, University Of Anbar, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

2 Department of pediatrics, University Of Mustansiriyah, Baghdad, Iraq

10.22038/ijn.2026.78358.2522

Abstract

Background: Prematurity poses a significant health concern, and it is crucial to identify the factors associated with it in order to reduce the burden on neonatal care units and prevent associated mortality.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of premature delivery and identify the associated risk factors at Alramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children.

Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children. The study included all live births that were at least 20 weeks into gestation, while excluding stillbirths and cases where information on gestation length was missing. Checklist was used to collect the necessary information. Logistic regression was employed to analyze the risk factors.

Results: This study involved 1327 neonates, of which 204 were preterm, resulting in a prevalence of preterm delivery of 15.4%. By using logistic regression to analyze the associated variables, the study found that mothers under the age of 25 had a significant impact with an odds ratio of 4.2. Additionally, a history of prematurity was found to be significant with an odds ratio of 5.71, multiple pregnancies were also significantly associated with an odds ratio of 7.22, and complications during pregnancy showed significance with an odds ratio of 6.41.

Conclusion: The prevalence of prematurity at Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children in Anbar, Iraq, is 15.4%. The most associated risk factors were identified as younger maternal age, maternal history of prematurity, multiple pregnancy, and complications during pregnancy.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Neonatology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 14 February 2026

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