Volume 1, Issue 1
Published: October 29, 2025
Background: Preterm birth is a public health concern. It is a leading cause of
neonatal mortality and the second leading cause of under-five mortality globally.
Despite the current efforts in addressing causes and risk of preterm birth, the burden
remains unacceptably high, especially in developing countries. Furthermore, while the
risk factors for preterm birth are widely known, it is unclear how these factors change
over time and how they influence changes in proportions of preterm birth.
Methods:This was a secondary data analysis using maternally linked data from the
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center Medical birth registry from 2000 to 2018 and
included all recorded deliveries. Data were cleaned and analyzed using STATA
software version 15. The trends of preterm birth proportions were computed using
Joinpoint regression model. The multivariable Poisson decomposition model was used
to determine factors associated with changes in proportions of preterm birth.
Results: The proportions of preterm birth increased significantly from 11.5% in 2000
to 21.2% in 2018, with the annual percentage change of 5%. Change in proportions
of antenatal care visits significantly contributed to 82%, 24% and 53% of changes in
proportions of preterm birth respectively in all three phases while other factors such
as multiple pregnancies, preeclampsia, use of alcohol during pregnancy and young
maternal age (≤19 years) each contributed to less than 10% of the change in
proportions of preterm birth.
Conclusion: The trend in the proportions of preterm birth has gradually increased
in Northern Tanzania. Factors that contributed to the change in proportions of preterm
birth are changing with time. ANC visits reported to be the main contributors for
changes in PTB proportions across the study period. Therefore coordinated efforts are
needed to promote early initiation, adequacy of ANC visits among women for early
identification and management of high-risk pregnancies.
Changes in Preterm Birth, Proportions, Trends, Birth-Registry, Tanzania
Seif Abdul, National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health of Tanzania (MoH), P.O. Box 9983 Dar Es Salaam Tanzania.
Abdul, S., Nanyaro, M, W, A., Mahande, M, J., Mboya, I, B. (2025). Trends and Factors Associated with Changes in Preterm Birth at Referral Hospital in Northern Tanzania. A Birth Registry-Based Study. Epidemiol Public Health OA , 1(1), 01-16.