Determinants of preterm birth among reproductive age women in sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from the most recent Demographic and Health Survey data-2019-2022

• Published in: PloS one 2024-01, Vol.19 (6), p.e0305810
• Main Authors: Berhan Tekeba, Masersha Asmare Techane, Belayneh Shetie Workneh, Alebachew Ferede Zegeye, Almaz Tefera Gonete, Medina Abdela Ahmed, Yilkal Abebaw Wassie, Mulugeta Wassie, Alemneh Tadesse Kassie, Mohammed Seid Ali, Enyew Getaneh Mekonen, Tadesse Tarik Tamir, Sintayehu Simie Tsega
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305810

IntroductionPreterm birth is the leading cause of both infant and neonatal mortality. It also had long-term consequences for the physical and neurological development of a growing child. The majority of these and related problems occur in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, due to resource scarcity to sustain the lives of premature babies. Despite this, there is a paucity of recent information on the pooled prevalence and factors associated with preterm birth in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this study aimed to update the pooled prevalence and determinants of preterm birth in sub-Saharan Africa based on the most recent Demographic and Health Survey data.MethodsA cross-sectional study design using the most recent demographic and health survey data from eight sub-Saharan African countries was used. We included a total weighted sample of 74,871 reproductive-aged women who gave birth in the five years preceding the survey. We used a multilevel logistic regression model to identify associated factors of preterm birth in sub-Saharan Africa. The adjusted odds ratio at 95% Cl was computed to assess the strength and significance of the association between explanatory and outcome variables. Factors with a p-value of