Assessing Prevalence of Premature Birth and Associated Determinants, Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital, Lesotho
Name: Denice Arnold
School: Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Class of 2023
Mentors: Richard Polin, MD, Lawrence Stanberry, MD, PhD, Kim Hekimian, PhD
Abstract
Premature birth, defined as birth before 37 weeks gestation, is a major contributor of neonatal and infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. In 2017, Lesotho's leading cause of neonatal death was preterm birth complications, with a preterm birth rate of 12 per 100 live births. We developed a research proposal to investigate factors that affect the preterm birth rate at Queen ’Mamohato Memorial Hospital in Lesotho. We aim to conduct a facility-based, cross sectional study that includes a retrospective chart review of births at this hospital in order to identify the prevalence of premature birth as well as the environmental and pathological factors associated with its prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. Data from an expected 25,000 deliveries will be drawn from electronic medical records and paper charts over a five-year time frame, from 2015 to 2020, and analyses will be performed for frequencies and bivariate results. We developed a survey tool that identifies the pertinent data to be collected, including fetal factors (18 items), maternal factors (19 items), and environmental factors (6 items). Because recent studies indicate that pregnant women who are COVID-19-positive have a greater risk of delivering a preterm baby, maternal COVID-19 status will also be included. An IRB protocol was submitted for this project, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, data collection is delayed. The goal of the study is to inform individualized quality improvement recommendations for Queen ’Mamohato Memorial Hospital to appropriately address and potentially reduce the prevalence of premature birth and its negative consequences.