Prevalence of Preterm Birth and its Associated Factors among Mothers Delivered in Jimma University Specialized Teaching and Referral Hospital, Jimma Zone, Oromia Regional State, South West Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Being born before 37 weeks gestational age or before 259 days since the first day of a woman's last menstrual period is defined as preterm birth according to the WHO. Being born too early is now the leading cause of death in children around the world. Preterm deliveries were responsible for 1 million out of the 6.3 million deaths of children under 5 in 2013. While the greatest burden is felt in developing countries, it is a problem everywhere. Its negative impacts stretch further when taking into account the health of mothers and the lives of the children who manage to survive.