Background: Placenta previa is a major cause of third trimester hemorrhage complicating
between 0.3% and 0.5% of pregnancies and accounting for significant maternal and perinatal
mortality The aims of this study was to; determine the risk factors responsible for rising rates
of placenta previa and compare pregnancy outcomes between women with placenta previa
and those with normal placental situation. A prospective case control design was selected in
carrying out this study and a representative sample of 200 parturient women (100 with
placenta previa being hospitalized or none hospitalized before delivery and 100 with
normally situated placenta) were recruited for this study. The tools used for data collection
were; an interview questionnaire sheet, a clinical assessment form, the partograph, a summary
of labor sheet and a neonatal assessment sheet. The results of the present study revealed that
the risk of having placenta previa was significantly increased with increased maternal age,
high gravidity, mal-presentation as well as the history of infertility and use of ART, and
previous cesarean section (p=0.001). They were less likely to have pre-eclampsia, multiple
gestations, exposure to smoking and previous abortion. Anterior localization was more
common and complete and incomplete placenta previa constitute three fifth of the cases and
there was increased risk of abnormal adherence of the placenta. It can be concluded that,
placenta previa was associated with considerable maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.
The study recommended that: Early diagnosis of placenta previa, identification of risk
factors, adopting recent modalities of diagnoses and management in appropriate setting and
with adequate resources may help in better outcome by reducing the feto-maternal
complications.