The Predictors of Pregnancy Loss Among Women Aged 15-49 Years in Pakistan
Abstract
Background: Pakistan has the highest global pregnancy loss burden.
Methods: Separate urban and rural analyses were implemented to identify the community-level, sociodemographic, maternal, environmental, and health-services factors associated with pregnancy-loss-reporting in the 2019 Pakistan Maternal Mortality Survey. Mixed-effects negative binomial regression was employed.
Results: In full urban sample, pregnancy loss was associated with lower maternal education, increasing maternal age, marriage, and unimproved sanitation facilities. In urban subsample of recent pregnancies, pregnancy loss was associated with lower wealth index, increasing age, and inadequate antenatal visits. In full rural sample, region of residence, wealth status, increasing age, marriage, unimproved-drinking water, clean-cooking fuel, and open defecation was associated with pregnancy loss. In rural subsample of recent pregnancies, pregnancy loss was associated with region of residence, increasing age, and clean-cooking fuel.
Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of understanding the urban-rural differences in Pakistan to inform targeted interventions and policies.