The Effect of Lifestyle on the Rate of Preterm Birth

Prematurity is still one of the main causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity that makes a lot of financial, psychosocial and emotional problems. Although the main cause of preterm labor is unknown but understanding of its risk factors is important for planning health policies for preventing and decreasing the rate of preterm labor. This study aimed to compare lifestyle of women with term and preterm delivery. This research is a case-control study. Subjects of this study were 132 women with preterm labor and 264 women with term labor that referred to Educational and Medical Center of Alzzahra. The subjects were selected by convenience method and matched in age and educational level. Data were collected by questionnaire containing two sections, demographic characteristics and woman's lifestyle including, nutrition, exercise, smoking and use of alcohol and substance abuse, social support, stress management and self care. Data were analyzed by SPSS with descriptive statistics and statistical tests of t Test, Man Witny U, χ 2 and Fisher's Exact Test. The results of this study showed significant differences in nutrition, smoking, use of alcohol, substance abuse, social support, stress management and self care between two groups, but the mean score of exercise in term and preterm birth was not statistically significant. The findings of our study suggest that there is a relation between lifestyle in pregnancy and preterm birth. Lifestyle is changeable and achieving this aim is possible by efforts to increase health education.