PREMATURE CHILDBIRTH - SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL RISKS IN SINGAPORE

The associations of social and behavioural factors on preterm birth in Singapore were studied using hospital maternity records of 20,723 con secutive singleton births between January 1986 and November 1991. The overall proportion of preterm births was 3.6%, the rates for the Chine se, Malay and Indian groups being 3-2%, 3-8% and 4-9% respectively. Te enage mothers were at a higher risk of preterm labour compared to wome n aged 20-29 years. The incidence of preterm labour decreased with inc reasing educational status. Preterm births were six times more likely in women who had no antenatal care. Women who had three or more previo us births were at a higher risk, while those who had one or two previo us births were at a lower risk compared to women who had none.