Individual and Obstetric Risk Factors of Preeclampsia among Singleton Pregnancy in Hospitals of Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background. Preeclampsia is the second most common problem that causes maternal morbidity and complication in low-income countries. In contrast to death due to other direct causes, preeclampsia-related death is appeared to be connected with multiple factors; yet, factors have paucity and are limited. Considering the clinical significance, this study aimed to identify that individual and obstetric factors of preeclampsia can be an input for disease identification involving clinicians in southern Ethiopia. Methods. A case-control study was conducted among mothers with a singleton pregnancy who attended perinatal care in all six public hospitals in the provinces around the Omo stream. A sample size of 487 women with a singleton pregnancy (163 cases and 326 controls) was involved in the study. All cases were enrolled, while controls were selected consecutively using a random sampling technique. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire and data extraction sheet. Descriptive data were presented using percentages and numbers. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors at a p value of less than 0.05. Results. There was a statistically significant association between the family history of hypertension (AOR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.16–5.05), no pregnancy interval (AOR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.03–2.55), and normal body mass index (AOR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.21–0.87) and the occurrence of preeclampsia. Conclusion. Primary relatives with a history of chronic hypertension and no pregnancy interval were identified as risk factors of preeclampsia, while having a normal body mass index was found to be a protective factor of preeclampsia occurrence. To improve early detection and timely management of preeclampsia, the clinician should give attention to women who have no previous childbirth and whose close relatives had a history of chronic hypertension, as well as working on the protective factor is recommended.