Effect of working hours and shift work on preterm birth among Australian women in paid work during pregnancy: Prospective cohort study

This study initially found a link between working over 40 hours per week and preterm birth, but this association was nullified after adjusting for health and obstetric factors. Additionally, shift work showed no significant association with preterm birth. Low educational status, smoking, gestational hypertension, asthma, primiparity, and lack of private health insurance were significantly associated with preterm birth. Addressing chronic diseases and social inequalities is crucial to reducing preterm birth rates.