Risk factors for bad obstetric history in Kirkuk women, Iraq

INTRODUCTION: Microbial agents such as Toxoplasma, rubella, CMV and HSV are important cause of infections during pregnancy, which mainly are asymptomatic. However, the infection during pregnancy may result in serious foetal side effects. Objective was to determine the risk factors that enhance the development of bad obstetric history (BOH) due to TORCH infections in Iraqi women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 538 women were included in the study, of them 293 (54.5%) were with BOH, and 245 (45.5%) were with normal pregnancy history. In the BOH group, 144 (49.1%) women were pregnant, while in the normal pregnancy group, 117 (47.7%) were pregnant. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors that may play a role in development of BOH. RESULTS: Multifactorial analysis indicated that Toxoplasma gondi IgM, rubella IgM, rubella IgG, CMV IgM, HSV -2 IgG and animal exposure were risk factors that lead to BOH development. However, Toxoplasma IgG seropositivity had inverse correlation to BOH development. Mother education was a significant protective (OR=0.614, P=0.000) factor that reduce development of BOH. Residence, education, occupation and family size influenced the role of TORCH in induction of BOH. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that Toxoplasma gondi IgM, rubella IgM, rubella IgG, CMV IgM, HSV-2 IgG and animal exposure were risk factors that lead to BOH development. Mother education was a significant protective factor that reduce development of BOH. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijim.v2i3.8121 ？ Int J Infect Microbiol 2013;2(3):70-77