ANALYSIS OF PREDICTIVE FACTORS OF PREMATURE DELIVERY IN HIGH-RISK MATERNITIES

Abstract

This study sought to identify predictors of premature birth in high-risk maternity hospitals. This cross-sectional study evaluated 232 postpartum women using a data collection instrument, in the form of an interview, containing questions related to sociodemographic and behavioral aspects, previous reproductive history, obstetric data and prenatal care. Data collection was carried out from April to September 2018, in two public maternity hospitals in the city of Maceió-AL, Brazil. Data were analyzed using SPSS® Statistics for Windows (version 20.0). Bivariate analysis was performed using Chi-square (X²) and analysis of multiple variables using Multiple Logistic Regression, from which the Odds Ratio (OR) and Confidence Interval (CI) of 95% were derived. The prematurity rate was 40.1%, the risk factors associated with premature birth were teenage pregnancy (OR=1.59; p=0.04), stress (OR=1.79; p=0.003), history of premature birth (OR=6.10; p<0.001) and low number of prenatal consultations (< 6 consultations) (OR=6.37; p<0.001). It was concluded that prematurity was associated with previous history of premature birth and subject to a small number of prenatal consultations, which seems to confirm the body of evidence on the risk factors for this birth condition.