Predictors and Complications of Prematurity in Two Health Facilities in Fako Division, Southwest Region, Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Prematurity is the leading cause of neonatal mortality. Most preterm births can be associated to an identifiable risk factor. In Cameroon, especially in the Southwest Region, there is limited data regarding prematurity associated risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors and complications of prematurity in two health facilities in the Fako division, the BRH and RHL. Methods: A hospital based retrospective case control study was done from the 1 st of January 2021 to 28 th of February 2022. We assessed the gestational ages at which preterm birth occurred and their shortterm outcome using a structured pretested questionnaire to collect data from files. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results: The minimum sample size was 137 preterms. 45.5% of cases were born between 34 and <37 weeks of gestation. Advanced maternal age (AOR: 1.146; 95% CI: 1.013 -1.297; p = 0.030), secondary level of education (AOR: 5.545; 95% CI: 1.962 -15.667; p = 0.001), rural resident (AOR: 2.626; 95% CI: 1.087 -6.347; p = 0.032), prenatal alcohol consumption (AOR: 3.261; 95% CI: 1.445 -6.913; p = 0.004) increased the risk of having a preterm birth meanwhile being married (AOR: 0.410; 95% CI: 0.217 -0.773; p = 0.006) decreased the risk. Hospital complications were neonatal infection 103 (51.5%), respiratory distress 79 (39.5%) and neonatal jaundice 61 (30.50%). Among the cases, 97 (48.50%) stayed in the hospital for 2 to 4 weeks and 177 (88.5%) were discharged alive. Conclusions: Modifiable factors that increased the risk of prematurity were advanced maternal age, secondary level of education, rural residence, and prenatal alcohol consumption. Being married decreased the risk. The most common hospital complications in both the cases and How to cite this paper: