Causes of preterm birth | |
---|---|
Maternal factors | Frequent illnesses during pregnancy |
Pregnant woman overworking during pregnancy i.e. farming, fetching firewood | |
Husband beating the pregnant wife | |
Pregnant woman eating too little and poor quality food, i.e. always eating okra, sometimes sleeping without food | |
Young and old maternal age | |
The history of a preterm birth in the family | |
Attempted abortion or previous abortion using traditional medicine | |
Giving birth to many children | |
Short intervals between births | |
Pregnant woman delays in starting antenatal care | |
Sexually transmitted infections (matenda opatsirana pogonana) i.e. syphilis (chindoko), gonorrhea (chinzonono) and HIV/AIDs | |
Traditional diseases such as Moto/tsempho or ndaka/nsanjiko | |
Malaria, epilepsy, high blood pressure, anemia | |
General social factors | Use of family planning methods, especially injections |
Will of God | |
Witchcraft | |
Use of local medicine during pregnancy |