Table 3 Perceived causes for PTB

Maternal health

Less maternal age / less maternal age leading to c-section

Poor nutritional status

Use of medications (fever, deworming etc.)

Inadequate sleep

Falls

Trauma to abdomen

Excessive vaginal discharge

Low-lying placenta

Convulsions, eclampsia

Urine infection

Indicated c-section

Sex during pregnancy

Lifestyle and behavioural

Heavy work, lifting heavy objects (using tube-well etc.)

Inadequate eating

Not taking recommended vitamins, calcium, folic acid during

pregnancy

Being beaten by husband

Stress due to familial issues e.g., disagreement with in-laws,

husband’s extra marital affairs

Attempted abortion

Elective c-section

Supernatural/spiritual

Evil spirits (being possessed by Jinn, dosh, chut, upri, groher

shomossa, bhoot)

God’s will