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Thesis (Master's)

University of Iceland > Heilbrigðisvísindasvið > Meistaraprófsritgerðir - Heilbrigðisvísindasvið >

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1946/48720

Title: 
  • Effects of maternal demographic factors on risk of preterm birth in Iceland 1997-2018: A population-based cohort study
  • Title is in Icelandic Áhættuþættir fyrirburafæðingar með tilliti til lýðfræðilegra þátta mæðra á Íslandi frá 1997 – 2018: Lýðgrunduð rannsókn
Degree: 
  • Master's
Abstract: 
  • Background: Approximately one million children died from preterm birth complications in 2019 worldwide. The causes of preterm birth are complex and not yet fully understood, limited studies have been published on preterm birth risk factors in the Icelandic population and no studies on maternal demographic risk factors. Identifying risk factors for preterm birth could provide earlier and better risk- specific treatment for this targeted group.
    Specific aims: Our aim was to assess risk of preterm birth according to maternal demographic factors in Iceland, from 1997 to 2018. Furthermore, presenting the risk of preterm birth by type of onset of labour, in addition to displaying the results in an interactive application.
    Methods: This was a prospective population-based cohort study of all live singleton births from 22 weeks of gestation from 1997 to 2018 in Iceland (86,025 births). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the basic characteristics of variables. Generalized linear models were used to predict the risk of preterm birth. Shiny was then used to build an interactive application to display the results.
    Results: Maternal age, marital status, employment status and parity were found to have significant relationship with preterm birth. Mothers over 35 years old were found to have higher risk of preterm birth compared to those from 26 to 30 years old (OR 1.24; 1.11 - 1.39). Single mothers were found to have higher risk of preterm birth compared to their married counterpart (OR 1.1; 1.02 - 1.19). Mothers who received benefits were at higher risk of preterm birth than those who were employed (OR 1.47; 1.20 - 1.80). Primipara had higher risk of preterm birth than multipara (OR 1.62; 1.48 - 1.76). No significant relationships were found for residency and nationality with regards to risk of preterm birth.
    Discussion: Preterm birth causes strain on families of the premature infants, exerting a high demand on the health care system due to the cost associated with premature births and the care required for premature infants. Gaining knowledge about possible risk factors could be beneficial for understanding the mechanisms of preterm birth and identifying at-risk groups. The results from this study can be used as foundations in the development of preventions and treatments of preterm births which can decrease infants’ mortality and morbidity, while reducing the burden on health care systems.

Accepted: 
  • Oct 25, 2024
URI: 
  • https://hdl.handle.net/1946/48720


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