This is a descriptive cross-sectional study that aimed to identify the prevalent risk factors for preterm labor (PTL) among pregnant women in Zamboanga City and to determine the preferred strategies and contents of an intervention program that would address the prevalent risk factors. A total of 102 respondents were included in this study from public and private hospitals and 20 stakeholders were included in the development of the intervention program. The study utilized two data gathering tools in determining the prevalent risk factors: an interviewer-administered survey questionnaire and self-administered questionnaire. Delphi method was utilized in the development of the intervention program wherein there were four rounds with four data gathering tools: an open ended self-administered questionnaire, a rank-ordered items questionnaire, questionnaire with list of programs with their ratings, and questionnaire with preferred intervention strategies respectively. The results of this study showed that the prevalent risk factors for PTL were: urinary tract infection (79.4%), passive smoking (77.5%), unintended pregnancy (76.5%), pre-eclampsia (76.5%), multiparity (75.5%), family history of preterm labor/delivery (73.5%), low socio-economic status (68.3%), and sexual contact during pregnancy (65.7%). The intervention program developed to address the prevalent risk factors identified in this study, as preferred by the stakeholders was information dissemination in the form of a pamphlet with its message to increase awareness of mothers on the causes of PTL. It is recommended that pregnant women with such risk factors should be given emphasis during the prenatal check up. Health education can be given to pregnant women with the preferential focus on its content in prevention of PTL through addressing the prevalent risk factors identified in this study.

Keyword: Perinatal Care