CRH and malaria: It was therefore vital to educate them that early labour onset could be the result of a number of factors, namely placental production of the peptide corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) that altered the length of gestation, a previous history of prematurity,36 low antenatal care utilisation, premature rupture of membranes because of infections, malaria, hypertension in pregnancy, maternal age of less than 20 years or more than 35 years.37 It is therefore important for the women to be well informed during antenatal visits about birth preparedness.