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Table 2 Summary on perceived causes of preterm birth in the community

From: Perceptions and experiences of community members on caring for preterm newborns in rural Mangochi, Malawi: a qualitative study

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