Abstract:
Introduction: Gestational hypertension complicates 10 % of all pregnancies. In Ethiopia hypertensive
disorders of pregnancy are the third main direct cause of maternal death. The magnitude of gestational
hypertension in Ethiopia varies across literatures and studies conducted in different parts of the globe
prevail a range of risk factors though findings were not conclusive showing variations among populations
and ethno-geographic groups. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of
gestational hypertension and its associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Ari
zone public health facilities.
Method: a Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among 624 women from February to
March 2025 in randomly selected five health centers and one hospital in Ari zone, Southern Ethiopia
.pregnant women with gestational age above 20 weeks were included in the study. Data was collected
using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire, blood pressure and MUAC was measured by trained data
collectors using kobo toolbox after a pretest on 5 % of the total participant outside the study area.
Bivariate logistic regression was applied to select candidate variables at p-value less than 0.25. The
multivariable logistic regression to identify factor associated with gestational hypertension among women
attending ANC. A significant association was declared at a p-value of <0.05.
Result: In this study the magnitude of gestational hypertension was 7.7% (95%CI: 5.7-10.1)The odds of
gestational hypertension was 4 times more likely in pregnant women whose age was ≥35 than those
pregnant women age ≤ 24.(AOR 4.25; 95% CI: 1.59, 11.36). Pregnant women who have family history of
hypertension were 2 times more likely to develop gestational hypertension as compared to those women
who have no family history of hypertension. (AOR 2.45; 95%CI: 1.079, 5.58). Having History of PIH in
pervious pregnancy were 7 times more likely to develop gestational hypertension compared to their
counter parts (AOR. 6.8; 95% CI: 2.22, 20.86). , pregnant women whose family monthly income >3000
were 2 times more likely to develop GH as compared to pregnant women whose family monthly income
less than 3000. (AOR 2.05; 95% CI: 1.014, 4.15)
Conclusion: Gestational hypertension is increased with maternal age, family history of hypertension,
history of previous pregnancy induced hypertension and family income Therefore, Midwifes and
maternity professionals should systematically review the health status of pregnant women with advanced
age, those who have family history of hypertension and previous history of PIH and should monitor their
blood pressure on regular basis.
