An-Najah Staff

Preterm birth is defined as the delivery of an infant before 37 weeks of gestation. It is a major public health problem. Prematurity is the leading cause of infant mortality and morbidity worldwide. Objectives: The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors of preterm birth and possible determinants among Palestinian women in Northern part of West Bank. Methodology: A hospital base case control study of 100 cases of preterm delivery and 201 control of full term delivery was taken from three governmental hospitals in Northern of West Bank. The sample is taken from Rafidia hospital in Nablus, Alshaheed Ali hospital in Jenen, and Alshaheed Thabet Thabet hospital in Tulkarem . The period of the study was six months started from first May 2009 to 30st October2009. The tool used in the study is a questionnaire. It was filled by face to face interview of the newly delivered women while staying at hospital.