Prevalence and associated risk factors of ectopic pregnancy among pregnant women at El-Galaa Teaching Hospital

Background Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a major contributing factor to the burden of maternal mortality and morbidity in the early half of pregnancy. The aim of study was to assess the prevalence of EP in women under study and determine the risk factors of EP in the study sample. Design A descriptive exploratory design was adopted in this study. Sample A convenience sample of 121 women who were diagnosed with EP were included, whereas those who were diagnosed with intrauterine pregnancies were excluded from the study. Tool A structured interviewing questionnaire was used to collect data related to sociodemographic characteristic, medical surgical, and obstetric history. Results The prevalence of EP in the current study was 0.52, 0.62, and 0.72% in 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. Risk factors of EP were grand multigravidity (55.2%), history of abortion (43.3%), history of pelvic inflammatory diseases (40%), history of abdominal and pelvic surgery (22.60%), history of infertility (19.1%), history of assisted reproductive technology usage (16.5%), failure of intrauterine devices (13.3%), history of previous EP (9.2%), and history of cesarean section deliveries more than three (5.8%) times sequentially. Conclusion EP is an increasingly common and potentially catastrophic condition. The prevalence of EP among women who present to emergency with first trimester bleeding or pain or both was matched with the worldwide prevalence. Risk factors of EP were seen in grand multigravida, abortion, and pelvic inflammatory disease, being the most common risk factors of EP. Recommendations Early diagnosis of an EP via detailed history, focusing on identification of risk factors for EP, will promote successful medical management, thus reducing surgical intervention and ultimately reducing maternal morbidity/mortality with preservation of future fertility.