Abstract:
Background: Preeclampsia, defined as a multisystem progressive disorder characterized by the new onset of hypertension and proteinuria, after 20 weeks of gestation or postpartum), it complicates 8% pregnancies globally. Moreover, preeclampsia increases the risk of adverse maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes. Although pre-eclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal deaths in Ethiopia, there is paucity of evidence on its magnitude and associated factors among the general obstetric population.
Objective: To assess the magnitude of and factors associated with preeclampsia among pregnant women admitted in Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia from June 15 to July 14, 2022.
Methods: An institution based cross sectional study was conducted. Eligible women admitted from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020 were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were extracted from maternal medical records using a structured and pretested abstraction checklist. Data were entered using Epi-Data 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS 26. Bivariable and multiple logistic regression analysis with 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed to identify factors associated with pre-eclampsia and described using adjusted odds ratio (AOR). All variables with p<0.25 in the binary logistic regression were entered into a multivariable analysis to identify the associated factor. Statistically significant association was declared at p< 0.05.
Results: A total 400 pregnant women with mean age of 24.95 ±5.26 years were included in the study. The magnitude of preeclampsia was 17.25% (95% CI: 13.85-21.28). Maternal age ≥35 ((AOR=4.50; 95% CI 1.89-10.76)), history of preeclampsia (AOR=2.42; 95% CI 1.16-5.04); family history of chronic hypertension (AOR=4.54;95% CI 2.23- 9.23); Anemic (AOR=2.62; 95% CI 1.35-5.09); and chewing khat (AOR=2.98; 95% CI 1.50-5.91) were significantly associated with having preeclampsia.
Conclusion: Almost one in five pregnant women admitted included in the study developed preeclampsia. Maternal age ≥35 years, history of preeclampsia, family history of chronic hypertension, anemia and chewing khat were associated with pre-eclampsia. Strengthening early detection, including identifying history of pre-eclampsia and family history of hypertension are essential for preventing and/or early management of pre-eclampsia.
