Burden and predictors of ectopic pregnancy in tribal preponderant state, Jharkhand

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is an obstetrical emergency. It could be considered a public health indicator in the developing world because ectopic pregnancy presents as an acute emergency and it is a life-threatening event, providing a picture of a health system's capacity to handle the diagnosis and management of emergencies. This study investigated the incidence, socio-demographic, and other risk factors associated with ectopic pregnancy among women in early pregnancy.

This cross-sectional observational study enrolled 102 women with ectopic pregnancy from June 2023 to May 2024 in a tertiary health center.

Participants were selected by consecutive sampling and baseline data were collected by using a predesigned and pretested structured questionnaire. All patients with ectopic pregnancy who met the criteria for inclusion were included.

The incidence of ectopic pregnancy in this study was 1.3%. The majority of these women (57.8%) were between the ages of 20-30 years, (76.4%) were multigravida, (78.4%) were in lower socioeconomic class, (78.4%) were from rural areas, (30.39%) were from tribal population, and 81.4% were referred cases from peripheral hospitals. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) was the most common (12.75%) and important risk factors among women followed by female sterilization failure (8.83%), (4.90%) had a history of tuberculosis.

The study concluded that women of reproductive age with pelvic inflammatory disease are at risk of ectopic pregnancy. Assessment of women at risk factors and modification will reduce incidence.