Research Article Volume 3 Issue 4 -March 2017 DOI: 10.19080/JGWH.2017.03.555621 J Gynecol Women’s Health Copyright © All rights are reserved by Rosnah Sutan Maternal Health-Seeking Behaviours in Preventing Preterm Delivery: A Case Control Study in Selangor Rosnah Sutan*, Norsafinaz Mohamed and Azmi Mohd Tamil Department of Community Health, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Malaysia Submission: December 20, 2016; Published: March 27, 2017 *Corresponding author: Rosnah Sutan, Department of Community Health, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaakob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tel: ; Fax: +603-91456670; Email: J Gynecol Women’s Health 3(4): JGWH.MS.ID.555621 (2017) Introduction Preterm birth is defined as the birth of a baby of less than 37 weeks gestation [1]. It is a major contributor (75%) to perinatal mortality and morbidity in the world, as well as the primary risk factor for neurological damage and disability [2]. The number of perinatal deaths is high and scientifically evidence showed that it was due to preterm birth complications caused by infection, asphyxia, hypothermia and hyper bilirubinemia [1]. Globally, an estimated 13 million babies are born premature every year, with a premature birth rate of 5-7% in developed countries and a premature birth rate of 9% in Asia [2]. The majority of premature incidences (85%) occurred in Africa and Asia and this contributed to almost 11 million premature births [3]. Maternal health behaviours vary with the different stages of pregnancy stages. It has an impact on pregnancy outcomes as direct and indirectly. Research has proven poor maternal health behaviours can cause low birth weight, premature birth, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and an increased risk of spontaneous abortion [4]. Most researches were carried out using existing clinical data from patients’ records in assessing the relationship between maternal health behaviours and pregnancy outcomes. Many factors related to maternal behaviour is unable to explore in depth using record data. The main key challenges recorded in the Millennium Development Goals 2015 of Malaysia 15 years achievement review has recommended that the quality of care received by women before, during and after pregnancy is the important elements for better child health .this report has stated that the vast majority of child deaths in Malaysia occur in the first year of life. A series of annual report from Family Health Development Division of Malaysia has stated that between 1990 and 2007, neonatal mortality rates were halved to 3.8 per 1,000 live births but it increased slightly to 4.0 as of 2012. The leading causes of under-five deaths in Malaysia by the ICD-10 classification are conditions from perinatal period and mostly were due to 001 Journal of Gynecology and Women’s Health ISSN 2474-7602 Abstract Preterm delivery is a leading cause of new born death especially in the developing country. It is one of the perinatal outcome predictors of growth and survival of baby. The objective of this study is to identify the relationship between mother’s health seeking behaviour during stages of pregnancy and preterm delivery. An unmatched case control study was conducted at 34 selected primary care centres (PHC) in Selangor from Mac to September 2013. Selection for case and control groups from PHC was done using multistage random sampling based on criteria set. All respondents were interviewed face-to-face by an interviewer. A validated structured interviewed questionnaire was used covering socio demographic, obstetric history, diet intake, stress handling and physical activity. A total of 424 samples were obtained. There were 212 of the postnatal mothers with preterm babies (cases) and 311 postnatal mothers with term babies (controls). This study found that the Indian mother (aOR=2.54, 95% CI 1.30-4.98), young aged less than 20 years (aOR=4.89, 95% CI 1.07-22.29), primigravida (aOR=1.84, 95% CI 1.21- 2.78), unplanned pregnancy (aOR=1.74, 95% CI 1.14-2.66) and not taken folic acid during pre-pregnancy (aOR=2.21, 95% CI 1.01-4.84) was found have higher risk for preterm delivery. Promoting reproductive women to practice good health seeking behaviour by having regular folic acid intake pre pregnancy and family planning, need to be strengthening for further reduction of poor perinatal outcomes. Mothers need to educate on self-monitoring and regular follow up to ensure safe motherhood. Keywords: Preterm delivery; Maternal health seeking behaviour; Pre pregnancy care