Determinants of Preterm Delivery at the Tema General Hospital in the Tema Metropolis of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Abstract

Preterm birth is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Globally, the main causes of neonatal deaths are preterm birth complications (35%), intrapartum-related complications (including complications during labour and delivery such as with asphyxia) (24%), and sepsis including neonatal tetanus and pneumonia (15%). The aim of the study was to examine the determinants of preterm deliveries at Tema General Hospital in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional research design using a quantitative approach was used to collect relevant data from preterm mothers who have delivered at the Tema General Hospital from the period of time the study took place. RESULT: The study recruited a total of 257 respondents with the responding rate of 98.46%. In this study, however, maternal educational levels had no significant association with preterm delivery(p=0.076). Also, mothers with tertiary education were found to be 40% more at risk of preterm birth compared to mothers without or with lower qualifications. This may be because mothers with higher education had also advanced in age and thus may be desperate for children. Also, it was noted from this study that, 91.44% of the respondents had heard of preterm delivery and the most frequent source was from health staff (56.59%). Others such as religious programs, personal interactions and the media accounted for 43.41%. Again about 70% were of the view that preterm delivery could not lead to complications such as Cerebral Palsy, learning impairment, Psychological problems etc. This, however, was an indication of a low level of knowledge on maternal health issues. CONCLUSION: Stakeholders into health programs should build capacity on maternal health