From 3 February-5 March, 2000, 1117 pregnant women attending 36 health centres in Shiraz were categorized as high risk (n = 519) and low risk (n = 598) based on the presence of preterm delivery risk factors. High-risk women received training on strategies to reduce the risk of premature delivery. The frequencies of preterm delivery in the low- and the high-risk groups were 3.0% and 14.6% respectively (P < 0.001). The significant factors for preterm delivery were cervical dilation > 1 cm, premature uterine contractions, multifetal gestation and smoking. Premature delivery was significantly lower in the high-risk group compared with a similar group in a previous study who had not received training.