AUTHOR=Adane Haimanot Abebe , Iles Ross , Boyle Jacqueline A. , Gelaw Asmare , Collie Alex 

TITLE=Maternal Occupational Risk Factors and Preterm Birth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

JOURNAL=Public Health Reviews

VOLUME=44

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/public-health-reviews/articles/10.3389/phrs.2023.1606085

DOI=10.3389/phrs.2023.1606085

ISSN=2107-6952

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the evidence on the relationship between physical occupational risks (high physical workload, long working hours, shift work, whole-body vibrations, prolonged standing, and heavy lifting) and preterm birth.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted across six databases to investigate the relationship between physical occupational risks and preterm birth.</p><p><bold>Result:</bold> A comprehensive analysis of 37 studies with varying sample sizes found moderate evidence of positive associations between high physical workload, long working hours, shift work, whole-body vibration, and preterm birth. Meta-analysis showed a 44% higher risk (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.25–1.66) for preterm birth with long working hours and a 63% higher risk (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.03–2.58) with shift work.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Pregnant women in physically demanding jobs, those working long hours or on shifts, and those exposed to whole-body vibration have an increased risk of preterm birth. Employers should establish supportive workplaces, policymakers implement protective measures, healthcare providers conduct screenings, and pregnant women must stay informed and mitigate these job-related risks.</p><p><bold>Systematic Review Registration</bold>: [<ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/">https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/</ext-link>], Identifier [CRD42022357045].</p>