Lifestyle Factors associated with Pregnancy Losses in Zambia: Evidence from Zambia Demographic and Health Surveys (ZDHS)

Abstract

The study used the Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) data to estimate pregnancy loss rates and investigate
the lifestyle factors associated with pregnancy losses. Using Potter and Adair’s (1949) criteria for classifying the period of foetal
development as cited by Woods (2009), the study revealed that the Stillbirth Rate (SBR) declined from 28.5 stillbirths per 1,000 live births in 2001-2 to 19.58 stillbirths per 1,000 live births in 2013-14. The miscarriage rate also declined from 22.14 miscarriages per 1,000 live births to 14.22 miscarriages per 1,000 live births in the same period of time. Using multinomial regression, the study revealed that underweight and overweight women, as well as those who experienced sexual violence, were associated with high risks of pregnancy losses. In this regard, the study recommends enhanced policy efforts to reduce the prevalence of violence, obesity, and undernourishment among women in Zambia.