Risk Factors Associated with Preterm Birth of Women who gave Birth in Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Southeast, Nigeria

Background: Preterm birth remains a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Identifying its risk factors is essential for developing targeted interventions to improve maternal and neonatal health. This study investigated the sociodemographic, obstetric, medical, and lifestyle risk factors associated with preterm birth among women who delivered at Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba, Southeast Nigeria. Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted at ABSUTH. The study population comprised all the women who gave birth at the facility who met the criteria. Data were collected through structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and medical record reviews. Key variables included maternal age, education level, socioeconomic status, obstetric history, medical conditions, lifestyle factors, and antenatal care utilization. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression were performed using SPSS version 25, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 9125 deliveries were recorded during the period of this study, including 1,962 cases (preterm births, <37 weeks gestation) and 7,163 controls (term births, ≥37 weeks gestation). Chi-square analysis showed significant associations between preterm birth and maternal age (p < 0.05), low education level (p < 0.001), low socioeconomic status (p = 0.0351), previous preterm birth (p < 0.001), short pregnancy interval (p < 0.001), hypertension (p < 0.001), diabetes (p < 0.001), infections (p < 0.001), smoking (p < 0.001), alcohol consumption (p < 0.001), and inadequate antenatal visits (p < 0.001). Logistic regression confirmed that hypertension, diabetes, infections, previous preterm birth, and inadequate antenatal visits were independent predictors of preterm birth. Conclusion: The findings highlight the multifactorial nature of preterm birth, with medical conditions, lifestyle behaviors, and inadequate antenatal care playing crucial roles. Early identification and management of these risk factors through improved maternal health services and health education may reduce the burden of preterm birth in the study setting.