OBJECTIVE:

to estimate prematurity prevalence and associated factors in Divinópolis, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, 2008-2011.

METHODS:

this is a cross-sectional study with data from 9,987 records held on the Information System on Live Births; a multiple logistic regression model was used.

RESULTS:

prevalence of preterm births was 8.0%; the higher likelihood of premature newborns were found to cesarean section (8.9%), mothers aged 15 or less (14.4%) and aged 35 or more (9.3%), mothers who went to 6 or fewer prenatal care visits (16.0%), and had had 4 or more live births (11.7%); after adjustment, the odds of preterm birth was higher among mothers aged under 15 years old (OR=1.22; 95%CI 1.01;1.49), mothers with 6 or fewer prenatal care visits (OR=3.76; 95%CI 3.24;4.38) and mothers undergoing cesarean section (OR=1.73; 95%CI 1.48;2.04).

CONCLUSION:

prematurity was associated with cesarean delivery, having fewer than 7 prenatal care visits and lower maternal age.

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