Epidemiological study of maternal risk factors influencing the incidence of preterm birth in developing countries
##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.sidebar##
Published
Oct 4, 2025
Download
Statistic
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.main##
Abstract
Preterm birth (PTB) remains a significant public health challenge in developing countries, contributing to high neonatal morbidity and mortality rates. This qualitative literature review aims to explore the maternal risk factors influencing the incidence of preterm birth in these regions. By examining existing studies, the review identifies key maternal characteristics such as age, nutritional status, socioeconomic factors, reproductive history, and healthcare access, which contribute to the risk of PTB. Additionally, the review highlights the role of environmental factors, including stress, pollution, and infections, in increasing preterm birth rates. The findings suggest that improving maternal healthcare, enhancing public awareness, and addressing socioeconomic disparities are essential in reducing the prevalence of preterm birth in developing countries. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing PTB and offers insights for developing targeted interventions aimed at reducing its incidence in resource-limited settings.
##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.details##
How to Cite
Tondong, H. I., Tempali, S. R., Kusika, S. yanti and Pani, W. (2025) “Epidemiological study of maternal risk factors influencing the incidence of preterm birth in developing countries ”, Science Midwifery, 13(4), pp. 1042-1050. doi: 10.35335/midwifery.v13i4.2065.
References
Alim, S.-D., Sepenu, P., Mensah, T. E., Osei-Agyapong, J., Sefogah, P. E., Appiah-Sakyi, K., Ahmed, B., & Konje, J. C. (2024). Preterm birth in low-middle income Countries.
Ayub, S., Shehzadi, I., Salam, B., Sardar, H., & Bashir, B. (2024). The Impact of Maternal Asthma on Pregnancy, Labor, and Neonatal Outcomes. Pakistan Journal of Chest Medicine, 30(1), 71–76.
Dadi, A. F., Miller, E. R., Bisetegn, T. A., & Mwanri, L. (2020). Global burden of antenatal depression and its association with adverse birth outcomes: an umbrella review. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 173.
Daskalakis, G., Psarris, A., Koutras, A., Fasoulakis, Z., Prokopakis, I., Varthaliti, A., Karasmani, C., Ntounis, T., Domali, E., & Theodora, M. (2023). Maternal infection and preterm birth: from molecular basis to clinical implications. Children, 10(5), 907.
Desta, M., Getaneh, T., Memiah, P., Akalu, T. Y., Shiferaw, W. S., Yimer, N. B., Asmare, B., & Black, K. I. (2021). Is preterm birth associated with intimate partner violence and maternal malnutrition during pregnancy in Ethiopia? A systematic review and meta analysis. Heliyon, 7(10).
Farajallah, I., & Farajallah, H. (2024). Challenges in access to safe drinking water and its impact on maternal and child health in Gaza. Anatolian Clinic the Journal of Medical Sciences, 29(Special Issue on Gaza), 52–65.
Gao, R., Liu, B., Yang, W., Wu, Y., Wang, B., Santillan, M. K., Ryckman, K., Santillan, D. A., & Bao, W. (2021). Association of maternal sexually transmitted infections with risk of preterm birth in the United States. JAMA Network Open, 4(11), e2133413–e2133413.
Ghimire, U., Papabathini, S. S., Kawuki, J., Obore, N., & Musa, T. H. (2021). Depression during pregnancy and the risk of low birth weight, preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction-an updated meta-analysis. Early Human Development, 152, 105243.
Hunter, P. J., Awoyemi, T., Ayede, A. I., Chico, R. M., David, A. L., Dewey, K. G., Duggan, C. P., Gravett, M., Prendergast, A. J., & Ramakrishnan, U. (2023). Biological and pathological mechanisms leading to the birth of a small vulnerable newborn. The Lancet, 401(10389), 1720–1732.
Khanam, R., Applegate, J., Nisar, I., Dutta, A., Rahman, S., Nizar, A., Ali, S. M., Chowdhury, N. H., Begum, F., & Dhingra, U. (2022). Burden and risk factors for antenatal depression and its effect on preterm birth in South Asia: A population-based cohort study. PLoS One, 17(2), e0263091.
Khekade, H., Potdukhe, A., Taksande, A. B., Wanjari, M. B., Yelne, S., & Wanjari, M. (2023). Preconception care: a strategic intervention for the prevention of neonatal and birth disorders. Cureus, 15(6).
Lis, N., Lamnisos, D., Bograkou-Tzanetakou, A., Hadjimbei, E., & Tzanetakou, I. P. (2023). Preterm birth and its association with maternal diet, and placental and neonatal telomere length. Nutrients, 15(23), 4975.
McElroy, S., Ilango, S., Dimitrova, A., Gershunov, A., & Benmarhnia, T. (2022). Extreme heat, preterm birth, and stillbirth: a global analysis across 14 lower-middle income countries. Environment International, 158, 106902.
Mitku, A. A., Zewotir, T., North, D., Jeena, P., & Naidoo, R. N. (2020). Modeling differential effects of maternal dietary patterns across severity levels of preterm birth using a partial proportional odds model. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 5491.
Ohuma, E. O., Moller, A.-B., Bradley, E., Chakwera, S., Hussain-Alkhateeb, L., Lewin, A., Okwaraji, Y. B., Mahanani, W. R., Johansson, E. W., & Lavin, T. (2023). National, regional, and global estimates of preterm birth in 2020, with trends from 2010: a systematic analysis. The Lancet, 402(10409), 1261–1271.
Organization, W. H. (2023). Born too soon: decade of action on preterm birth. World Health Organization.
Owens, D. K., Davidson, K. W., Krist, A. H., Barry, M. J., Cabana, M., Caughey, A. B., Donahue, K., Doubeni, C. A., Epling, J. W., & Kubik, M. (2020). Screening for bacterial vaginosis in pregnant persons to prevent preterm delivery: US preventive services task force recommendation statement. Jama, 323(13), 1286–1292.
Preda, A., Iliescu, D.-G., Comănescu, A., Zorilă, G.-L., Vladu, I. M., Forțofoiu, M.-C., Țenea-Cojan, T. S., Preda, S.-D., Diaconu, I.-D., & Moța, E. (2023). Gestational diabetes and preterm birth: what do we know? Our experience and mini-review of the literature. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(14), 4572.
Pusdekar, Y. V, Patel, A. B., Kurhe, K. G., Bhargav, S. R., Thorsten, V., Garces, A., Goldenberg, R. L., Goudar, S. S., Saleem, S., & Esamai, F. (2020). Rates and risk factors for preterm birth and low birthweight in the global network sites in six low-and low middle-income countries. Reproductive Health, 17(Suppl 3), 187.
Siddiqui, M. I., Shah, R., Gul, N., Shaikh, M. M., & Shaikh, H. M. (2025). Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight and Premature Births Among Pregnant Women in District Tando Muhammad Khan. Journal of Social Sciences Research & Policy, 3(03), 118–127.
Vanderlaan, J., & Hall, P. (2020). Systematic review of case reports of poor neonatal outcomes with water immersion during labor and birth. The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing, 34(4), 311–323.
Volkow, N. D., & Blanco, C. (2023). Substance use disorders: a comprehensive update of classification, epidemiology, neurobiology, clinical aspects, treatment and prevention. World Psychiatry, 22(2), 203–229.
Vyawahare, A. P., Gaidhane, A., & Wandile, B. (2023). Asthma in pregnancy: A critical review of impact, management, and outcomes. Cureus, 15(12).
Wainwright, E., Sheikh, I., Qureshi, R., Yousuf, S., Khan, R., & Elmes, M. (2023). Evaluating the impact of maternal non-communicable disease on adverse pregnancy outcomes and birthweight in Pakistan.
Wastnedge, E., Waters, D., Murray, S. R., McGowan, B., Chipeta, E., Nyondo-Mipando, A. L., Gadama, L., Gadama, G., Masamba, M., & Malata, M. (2021). Interventions to reduce preterm birth and stillbirth, and improve outcomes for babies born preterm in low-and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Journal of Global Health, 11, 4050.
Xi, C., Luo, M., Wang, T., Wang, Y., Wang, S., Guo, L., & Lu, C. (2020). Association between maternal lifestyle factors and low birth weight in preterm and term births: a case-control study. Reproductive Health, 17(1), 93.
Ayub, S., Shehzadi, I., Salam, B., Sardar, H., & Bashir, B. (2024). The Impact of Maternal Asthma on Pregnancy, Labor, and Neonatal Outcomes. Pakistan Journal of Chest Medicine, 30(1), 71–76.
Dadi, A. F., Miller, E. R., Bisetegn, T. A., & Mwanri, L. (2020). Global burden of antenatal depression and its association with adverse birth outcomes: an umbrella review. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 173.
Daskalakis, G., Psarris, A., Koutras, A., Fasoulakis, Z., Prokopakis, I., Varthaliti, A., Karasmani, C., Ntounis, T., Domali, E., & Theodora, M. (2023). Maternal infection and preterm birth: from molecular basis to clinical implications. Children, 10(5), 907.
Desta, M., Getaneh, T., Memiah, P., Akalu, T. Y., Shiferaw, W. S., Yimer, N. B., Asmare, B., & Black, K. I. (2021). Is preterm birth associated with intimate partner violence and maternal malnutrition during pregnancy in Ethiopia? A systematic review and meta analysis. Heliyon, 7(10).
Farajallah, I., & Farajallah, H. (2024). Challenges in access to safe drinking water and its impact on maternal and child health in Gaza. Anatolian Clinic the Journal of Medical Sciences, 29(Special Issue on Gaza), 52–65.
Gao, R., Liu, B., Yang, W., Wu, Y., Wang, B., Santillan, M. K., Ryckman, K., Santillan, D. A., & Bao, W. (2021). Association of maternal sexually transmitted infections with risk of preterm birth in the United States. JAMA Network Open, 4(11), e2133413–e2133413.
Ghimire, U., Papabathini, S. S., Kawuki, J., Obore, N., & Musa, T. H. (2021). Depression during pregnancy and the risk of low birth weight, preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction-an updated meta-analysis. Early Human Development, 152, 105243.
Hunter, P. J., Awoyemi, T., Ayede, A. I., Chico, R. M., David, A. L., Dewey, K. G., Duggan, C. P., Gravett, M., Prendergast, A. J., & Ramakrishnan, U. (2023). Biological and pathological mechanisms leading to the birth of a small vulnerable newborn. The Lancet, 401(10389), 1720–1732.
Khanam, R., Applegate, J., Nisar, I., Dutta, A., Rahman, S., Nizar, A., Ali, S. M., Chowdhury, N. H., Begum, F., & Dhingra, U. (2022). Burden and risk factors for antenatal depression and its effect on preterm birth in South Asia: A population-based cohort study. PLoS One, 17(2), e0263091.
Khekade, H., Potdukhe, A., Taksande, A. B., Wanjari, M. B., Yelne, S., & Wanjari, M. (2023). Preconception care: a strategic intervention for the prevention of neonatal and birth disorders. Cureus, 15(6).
Lis, N., Lamnisos, D., Bograkou-Tzanetakou, A., Hadjimbei, E., & Tzanetakou, I. P. (2023). Preterm birth and its association with maternal diet, and placental and neonatal telomere length. Nutrients, 15(23), 4975.
McElroy, S., Ilango, S., Dimitrova, A., Gershunov, A., & Benmarhnia, T. (2022). Extreme heat, preterm birth, and stillbirth: a global analysis across 14 lower-middle income countries. Environment International, 158, 106902.
Mitku, A. A., Zewotir, T., North, D., Jeena, P., & Naidoo, R. N. (2020). Modeling differential effects of maternal dietary patterns across severity levels of preterm birth using a partial proportional odds model. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 5491.
Ohuma, E. O., Moller, A.-B., Bradley, E., Chakwera, S., Hussain-Alkhateeb, L., Lewin, A., Okwaraji, Y. B., Mahanani, W. R., Johansson, E. W., & Lavin, T. (2023). National, regional, and global estimates of preterm birth in 2020, with trends from 2010: a systematic analysis. The Lancet, 402(10409), 1261–1271.
Organization, W. H. (2023). Born too soon: decade of action on preterm birth. World Health Organization.
Owens, D. K., Davidson, K. W., Krist, A. H., Barry, M. J., Cabana, M., Caughey, A. B., Donahue, K., Doubeni, C. A., Epling, J. W., & Kubik, M. (2020). Screening for bacterial vaginosis in pregnant persons to prevent preterm delivery: US preventive services task force recommendation statement. Jama, 323(13), 1286–1292.
Preda, A., Iliescu, D.-G., Comănescu, A., Zorilă, G.-L., Vladu, I. M., Forțofoiu, M.-C., Țenea-Cojan, T. S., Preda, S.-D., Diaconu, I.-D., & Moța, E. (2023). Gestational diabetes and preterm birth: what do we know? Our experience and mini-review of the literature. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(14), 4572.
Pusdekar, Y. V, Patel, A. B., Kurhe, K. G., Bhargav, S. R., Thorsten, V., Garces, A., Goldenberg, R. L., Goudar, S. S., Saleem, S., & Esamai, F. (2020). Rates and risk factors for preterm birth and low birthweight in the global network sites in six low-and low middle-income countries. Reproductive Health, 17(Suppl 3), 187.
Siddiqui, M. I., Shah, R., Gul, N., Shaikh, M. M., & Shaikh, H. M. (2025). Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight and Premature Births Among Pregnant Women in District Tando Muhammad Khan. Journal of Social Sciences Research & Policy, 3(03), 118–127.
Vanderlaan, J., & Hall, P. (2020). Systematic review of case reports of poor neonatal outcomes with water immersion during labor and birth. The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing, 34(4), 311–323.
Volkow, N. D., & Blanco, C. (2023). Substance use disorders: a comprehensive update of classification, epidemiology, neurobiology, clinical aspects, treatment and prevention. World Psychiatry, 22(2), 203–229.
Vyawahare, A. P., Gaidhane, A., & Wandile, B. (2023). Asthma in pregnancy: A critical review of impact, management, and outcomes. Cureus, 15(12).
Wainwright, E., Sheikh, I., Qureshi, R., Yousuf, S., Khan, R., & Elmes, M. (2023). Evaluating the impact of maternal non-communicable disease on adverse pregnancy outcomes and birthweight in Pakistan.
Wastnedge, E., Waters, D., Murray, S. R., McGowan, B., Chipeta, E., Nyondo-Mipando, A. L., Gadama, L., Gadama, G., Masamba, M., & Malata, M. (2021). Interventions to reduce preterm birth and stillbirth, and improve outcomes for babies born preterm in low-and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Journal of Global Health, 11, 4050.
Xi, C., Luo, M., Wang, T., Wang, Y., Wang, S., Guo, L., & Lu, C. (2020). Association between maternal lifestyle factors and low birth weight in preterm and term births: a case-control study. Reproductive Health, 17(1), 93.