Prevalence Of Placenta Previa And Associated Risk Factors In Pregnant Women Visiting Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar

Abstract

Background: Placenta previa (PP) is a serious obstetric condition in which the placenta partially or completely covers the cervical os, leading to significant maternal and fetal morbidity. Its prevalence has increased due to rising cesarean section rates, advanced maternal age, and higher parity. Identifying the prevalence and associated risk factors is crucial for early detection and management.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of placenta previa and its associated risk factors among pregnant women attending Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 162 pregnant women between 20–40 weeks of gestation from May to August at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, LRH-MTI, Peshawar. Participants underwent transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound for placental assessment. Data on demographics, obstetric history, and risk factors were collected via semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 24.

Results: Complete placenta previa (Grade 4) was the most common type (53.1%), followed by partial (27.8%), low-lying (12.3%), and marginal previa (6.8%). Most affected women were aged 18–25 years (48.15%), multigravida (70.37%), and at gestational ages of 33–40 weeks (77.78%), with 75.31% presenting with vaginal bleeding. Among all risk factors analyzed, only a history of cesarean section was significantly associated with placenta previa (p = 0.042). Other factors including maternal age, gravida, abortion history, gestational age, number of gestations, and vaginal bleeding were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Complete placenta previa was the most prevalent type among the study population. Prior cesarean delivery emerged as a significant risk factor, highlighting the impact of uterine scarring on abnormal placental implantation. Careful monitoring and timely management of women with previous cesarean sections are essential to reduce maternal and neonatal complications.