Investigating the Frequency of Placenta Previa and the Associated Risk Factors During Pregnancy

Placenta previa (PP) is the abnormal implantation of the placenta over the lower uterine segment, either partially or completely covering the internal os. It is a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine its frequency and evaluate the risk factors for PP among pregnant women.

This cross-sectional study included 142 pregnant women, selected through non-probability consecutive sampling. Data on demographics, obstetric history, and risk factors were collected using a structured proforma. Analysis was performed with IBM SPSS Statistics, version 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), describing categorical variables with frequencies and percentages. Associations were evaluated using the chi-square test, with a p-value of ≤0.05 considered significant. Quantitative variables such as age, parity, and gravidity were described using mean, median, mode, and standard deviation.

The mean age of participants was 26.33 ± 5.37 years. The frequency of placenta previa was 6.3% (9 out of 142). Most cases (78%) occurred in women under 35 years of age. Placenta previa was significantly associated with multigravidity (p = 0.01), multiparity (p = 0.026), and a past history of PP (p = 0.006). Among women with a prior history of placenta previa, 66.6% experienced recurrence.

This study found a high frequency of placenta previa, with significant risk factors including previous PP, multigravidity, and multiparity. Additional associated factors included previous cesarean sections and maternal age below 35 years. These findings underscore the importance of vigilant antenatal screening for high-risk pregnancies.