Inadequate Gestational Weight Gain and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women in Gamo Zone Public Hospitals, South Ethiopia: A Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Globally, inadequate gestational weight gain is a significant public health problem. It may lead to poor pregnancy outcomes. It is associated with the development of a small for gestational age fetus, prematurity, and low birthweight. It is grave trouble in middle- and low-income countries like Ethiopia. However, evidence is scarce on the magnitude of inadequate gestational weight gain and associated factors in our country, particularly in the study area. Hence, this study is aimed at assessing inadequate gestational weight gain and associated factors among pregnant women in Gamo zone public hospitals in South Ethiopia.

METHODS

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 01, 2024, to March 30, 2024, among systematically selected 373 pregnant women. The data were collected by using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, patient record review, and physical measurements. A binary logistic regression model was used to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. A p value < 0.05 with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was considered statistically significant and interpreted accordingly.

RESULTS

The magnitudes of inadequate gestational weight gain were 53.1% (95% CI: 48%, 58.4%). First ANC visit after 8 weeks of gestational age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.02, 3.14), unable to read and write (AOR = 2.86; 95% CI: 1.37, 5.98), and primigravidity (AOR = 2.86; 95% CI: 1.37, 5.98) were the significant predictors of inadequate gestational weight gain.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study revealed that more than half of pregnant women still gain inadequate weight, and it has complex relationships with various factors, including women's education, primigravidity, and gestational age at first ANC contact. Therefore, a comprehensive approach is needed that considers the interplay of these various factors to effectively address the issue of inadequate gestational weight gain.