Determinants of Premature Rupture of Membrane (PROM) Among Pregnant Women in Southern Ethiopia: A Case-Control Study

Background: Premature rupture of membrane (PROM) varies from country to country and complicates 4 to 10% of pregnancies worldwide it has an overwhelming effect on maternal and newborn health. Even though many interventions implemented to tackle it, the problem is persisted.

Objective: To identify determinants of premature rupture of membrane among pregnant women who have visited labor wards in four hospitals found in Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Methods: Hospital-based unmatched case-control study was conducted from February to May 2020. Data were collected among 75 cases and 223 controls using face-to-face interviews. Cases and controls were recruited consecutively from pregnant women who have visited the labor ward. Data were entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Bivariable and Multivariable logistic regression was used to check the association between dependent and independent variables, statistically significant association was declared at p-value < 0.05.

Results: A total of 75 cases and 233 controls were enrolled in the study. Hypertension during index pregnancy [AOR = 2.81 (95% CI: 1.09 -7.23)], history of abortion [AOR = 3.7 (95% CI: 1.41-9.73)], history of caesarean section [AOR = 3.46 (95% CI: 1.34-8.9)] and history of PROM [AOR = 4.77 (95% CI: 2.31-9.89)] were associated with premature rupture of membranes.

Conclusion: Hypertension during the index pregnancy, history of abortion, history of PROM, and history of cesarean section has an association with premature rupture of membrane. The result of the study suggests early identification and treatment of abortion, hypertension, and cesarean section in pregnant women mitigates the risk of premature rupture of membrane.