Socioeconomic Risk Factors for Preterm Birth in Manipur, Northeast India: A Community-Based Study

Abstract

Background Preterm birth (PTB) is one of the world's leading health concerns, affecting both the mother and the children. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and socioeconomic factors associated with PTB among the Meitei women of Manipur. Materials and Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in postpartum Meitei women of Manipur. Participants were 126 postpartum women that gave birth to a singleton live-born infant and were classified as women giving birth before 37 weeks of gestation (PTB) and women giving birth at ≥37 weeks (term). Data were compared using univariate analysis, and the association of socioeconomic factors with PTB was determined through multivariate logistic regression using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 25 version software program, and statistical significance was taken at a p-value < 0.05. Results The overall prevalence of PTB is 23.01%, of which 13.79% are of extremely preterm. This study revealed a significant association of PTB with mother's occupation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40–14.26, p = 0.012), tobacco consumption during pregnancy (AOR = 2.90, 95% CI: 1.01–8.33, p = 0.048), having family history of PTB (AOR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.09–9.04, p = 0.034), and early age at menarche (AOR = 4.26, 95% CI: 1.49–12.12, p = 0.007). Conclusion The study highlights the high prevalence of PTB and its association with various socioeconomic factors. Such community-specific studies should be performed to understand the differential risk factors of PTB to control premature death in under 5 years children and to promote women's reproductive health.

Maternal age and adverse pregnancy outcomes among Meitei women of Manipur, Northeast India: A cross‐sectional study

“…The high incidence of caesarean section among AMA women is further evidenced by the positive association between advance age mothers and preterm delivery, as premature babies were most likely to be born through caesarean section (Rydahl et al, 2019). The risk of preterm birth could be linked with modifiable risk factor consumption of tobacco by mothers during pregnancy, as tobacco consumption during pregnancy poses 2.90 times more likely to experience delivering preterm birth than mothers who did not (Devi & Singh, 2023). It is supported by different studies, including association and systematic and meta-analysis studies (Suliankatchi & Sinha, 2016).…”

“…The sample size was calculated using the single population proportion formula, assuming the prevalence of APO as 23.01% (Devi & Singh, 2023). A total of 760 singleton Meitei women were included in the present study applying a design effect of 2 and considering a nonresponse rate of 10%.…”