Determinants of Placenta Previa among Pregnant Women Delivered in Public Hospitals South Ethiopia: Unmatched Case-Control Study

v> Background: Placenta previa is one of the serous obstetric complications in which the placental tissue abnormally implants the lower uterine segment partially or totally. Although the exact etiology of placenta previa is unknown, certain factors can contribute to the condition. This study was aimed to identify the determinants of placenta previa among pregnant women delivered in public hospitals in the wolaita zone, southern regions of Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based unmatched case-control study was conducted on 144 cases and 287 controls from July 8, 2020 to June 30, 2023. The sample size was determined using Epi Info™7.2.5.0. Study subjects were selected using consecutive sampling method. Data were collected using structured checklists, coded, and then input into Epi-data manager version 4.6.0.2 for analysis using SPSS version 25. Using both bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions, the determinants of placenta previa in pregnant women were identified. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and p-value <0.05 were used to declare the significant association. Results: The clinical data of 274 pregnant women with placenta previa group and 388 pregnant women with normal placental position (general group) who delivered in our hospital from July 8, 2020 to June 30, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Out of 19,677 hospital deliveries, 144 pregnant women with placenta previa (cases) and 287 without placenta previa (controls) were included in this study. The mean age of the mothers was 27.35+5.04 years for both cases and controls.The odds of developing placenta previa is higher for the maternal age of ≥35 years[AOR=4.45 (95% C.I =1.2, 4.99)], short inter-pregnancy interval of less than 24 months [AOR=1.89 (95% C.I=(1.08, 3.53)], previous abortion [AOR=5.49 (95% C.I =2.93, 10.3)], previous cesarean sections [AOR=3.73 (95% C.I =1.68, 8.3)], and women having uterine leiomyoma [AOR=6.33 (95% C.I=2.48, 16.17)]. Conclusion: Increased maternal age (≥35 years), short inter-pregnancy interval of less than 24 months, history of abortions, prior cesarean sections, and having leiomyoma were identified determinants of placenta previa.