Determinants of Preeclampsia Among Pregnant Mothers Attending Antenatal Care

Background: The maternal morbidity and mortality related to preeclampsia are increasing in developing countries; figures have been estimated to be between 1.8% and 16.7%, including in Ethiopia. However, there is limited research regarding the determinants of preeclampsia in Gedeo Zone. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the predictors of preeclampsia among pregnant mothers attending ANC and delivery services in southern Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based unmatched case-control study was conducted in Gedeo Zone. Pregnant mothers attending ANC and delivery service were selected consecutively until the allotted 243 (162 controls and 81 cases) sample size was fulfilled. The collected data were checked for completeness and entered into Epi-data software version 3.1, and exported to statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was employed and a P-value of less than 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval was used to declare the significant association of the independent variables and the outcome variable. Results: A total of 240 mothers, 80 (33.3%) of cases and 160 (66.70%) of controls, responded, with a response rate of 98.76%. The mean age of the participants among both groups was 27.40 with a standard deviation of [+ or -]5.02. Attending education [adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 0.49; 95% CI (0.006, 0.398)], being a house wife [AOR = 13; 95% CI (1.260, 140.15)], an age range of 20-34 years [AOR = 0.071; 95% CI (0.015, 0.32)], a family history of diabetes mellitus [AOR = 0.28.2; 95% CI (0.081, 0.985)], a family history of hypertension [AOR = 0.124; 95% CI (0.047, 0.325)], did not eat fruit during pregnancy [AOR = 3.355; 95% CI (1.112, 10.126)], and a maternal history of preeclampsia [AOR = 0.162; 95% CI (0.041, 0.640)] were found to be variables significantly associated among mothers with preeclampsia. Conclusion: The determinant factors for preeclampsia were being a housewife, having a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and preeclampsia among family members. Strengthening early detection and prevention of predictors, improvement of protective factors, and further follow-up study were recommended. Keywords: antenatal care, delivery, preeclampsia, pregnant mothers, southern Ethiopia