Prevalence and Predictors of Preterm Delivery among Mothers at the Tamale Teaching Hospital in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana

BackgroundPreterm delivery (PTD) remains a global public health challenge. It is estimated that 15 million babies are born prematurely. Developing countries account for 18.3% of PTD. This study assessed the prevalence and risk factors associated with PTD deliveries in the Tamale Metropolis. MethodsA cross-sectional study accessed the birth records and interviewed 318 participants who delivered at the Tamale Teaching Hospital between January to December 2021. Univariate and multivariate regression models predicted the risk factors of PTD. ResultsThe prevalence of preterm delivery was 18.5%. Women with multiple pregnancies who had a caesarean section and large household size were 4.28, 7.31 and 6.88, times more likely to have preterm delivery [AOR = 4.28 (95% CI: 1.75-24.23)], [AOR = 7.31 (95% CI: 2.59-36.14)] and [AOR = 6.88 (95% CI: 1.56-30.38)] respectively. Women who had normal haemoglobin concentration levels at 36 weeks and those who had pipe-borne water as the source of drinking water were 90% and 78% less likely to have preterm delivery [AOR = 0.10 (95% CI: 0.03-0.33)] and [AOR = 0.22 (95% CI: 0.06-0.78)] respectively. ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of preterm delivery in the Tamale Metropolis. Having multiple pregnancies, caesarean sections and large household size are risk factors of preterm birth. Whilst maintaining a normal haemoglobin at 36 weeks and drinking pipe-borne water are protective factors against preterm delivery in the Tamale metropolis.