INTRODUCTIONEctopic pregnancy (EP) is the leading cause of maternal death during the first trimester of pregnancy, accounting for approximately 10% of all pregnancy-related deaths. 1 It still remains a serious health problem for women of childbearing age.2 A ruptured ectopic pregnancy is a true medical emergency. Morbidity due to ectopic pregnancy is in the form of infertility and ectopic recurrence. Although the total number of intrauterine pregnancies has declined over the past three decades, there has been a rise in the incidence of ectopic pregnancy as a result of an increased and persistent exposure to its risk factors and partially due to improved ability in making an earlier diagnosis. 4,5 As the morbidity and mortality associated with extrauterine pregnancy are directly related to the length of time required for diagnosis, the increased awareness and knowledge of the risk factors for it could enable an early and accurate diagnosis of the disease, resulting in earlier intervention.Numerous studies have been done to explore the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy and it was found that the main risk factors for ectopic pregnancy are conditions or procedures which cause tubal damage. The exact role and strength of these factors have not been definitively determined. Very few studies have been done in our state to find various risk factors for ectopic pregnancy therefore; the present study was designed to identify potential risk factors and to evaluate their contribution in ectopic pregnancy. ABSTRACTBackground: Morbidity and mortality associated with ectopic pregnancy are directly related to the length of time required for diagnosis. Knowledge of risk factors for ectopic pregnancy will help an obstetrician to suspect and diagnose the condition early. Therefore, the present study was designed to identify potential risk factors and to evaluate the contribution of the risk factors in ectopic pregnancy. Methods: Study population consists of 65 women with ectopic pregnancy and for each ectopic case one woman with first trimester intrauterine pregnancy was recruited as control. Data were retrieved from all through a structured proforma. Data were analyzed statistically. Results: Various significant risk factors for ectopic pregnancy found were pelvic inflammatory disease, tubal ligation, age above 30 yrs, previous use of IUCD, low socio-economic status, tubal infertility and genital tuberculosis while no significant association was seen with smoking, age below 30 years, history of prior induced abortion, oral contraceptive pills and clomiphene citrate. Conclusions: Increase awareness and knowledge of risk factors will help obstetricians to suspect and diagnose ectopic pregnancy early and accurately and enable them to plan medical treatment. Surgical treatment will be reserved for ruptured ectopic pregnancy and haemodynamically unstable patients.