Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is an obstetrical emergency. It could be considered a public health indicator in the developing world because ectopic pregnancy presents as an acute emergency and it is a life-threatening event, providing a picture of a health system's capacity to handle the diagnosis and management of emergencies. This study investigated the incidence, socio-demographic, and other risk factors associated with ectopic pregnancy among women in early pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional observational study enrolled 102 women with ectopic pregnancy from June 2023 to May 2024 in a tertiary health center. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Participants were selected by consecutive sampling and baseline data were collected by using a predesigned and pretested structured questionnaire. All patients with ectopic pregnancy who met the criteria for inclusion were included. RESULTS: The incidence of ectopic pregnancy in this study was 1.3%. The majority of these women (57.8%) were between the ages of 20-30 years, (76.4%) were multigravida, (78.4%) were in lower socioeconomic class, (78.4%) were from rural areas, (30.39%) were from tribal population, and 81.4% were referred cases from peripheral hospitals. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) was the most common (12.75%) and important risk factors among women followed by female sterilization failure (8.83%), (4.90%) had a history of tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that women of reproductive age with pelvic inflammatory disease are at risk of ectopic pregnancy. Assessment of women at risk factors and modification will reduce incidence.