Determinants of hyperemesis gravidarum among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public and private hospitals in Bahir Dar City, North-West Ethiopia, 2022: a multicenter unmatched case control study

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy characterized by more than 5% weight loss and ketonuria. Although there are cases in Ethiopia, there is still insufficient information regarding the determinant factors of hyperemesis gravidarum.This finding helps to decrease maternal as well as fetal complications of hyperemesis gravidarum by early identification of pregnant mothers who are at high risk. This study aimed to assess determinants of hyperemesis gravidarum among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public and private hospitals in Bahir Dar, North-West Ethiopia, 2022.

A multicenter, facility-based, unmatched case-control study was conducted on 444 pregnant women (148 cases and 296 controls) from January 1 to May 30. Women with a documented diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum on the patient chart were considered as cases, and women who attended antenatal care service without hyperemesis gravidarum were assigned as controls. Cases were selected using a consecutive sampling technique, whereas controls were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. The data were entered into EPI-Data version 3 and exported into SPSS version 23 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify determinants of hyperemesis gravidarum at a p-value of less than 0.05. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to determine the direction of association.

Living in urban (AOR = 2.717, 95% CI : 1.693,4.502), primigravida (AOR = 6.185, 95% CI: 3.135, 12.202), first& second trimester of pregnancy (AOR = 9.301, 95% CI: 2.877,30.067) & (AOR = 4.785, 95% CI: 1.449,15.805) respectively, family history of hyperemesis gravidarum (AOR = 2.929, 95% CI: 1.268,6.765), helicobacter pylori (AOR = 4.881, 95% CI: 2.053, 11.606) & Depression (AOR = 2.195, 95% CI: 1.004,4.797) were found to be determinants of hyperemesis gravidarum.

Living in an urban area, primigravida woman, being in the first and second trimester, having family history of hyperemesis gravidarum, Helicobacter pylori infection, and having depression were the determinants of hyperemesis gravidarum. Primigravid women, those living in urban areas, and women who have a family history of hyperemesis gravidarum should have psychological support and early treatment initiation if they develop nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Routing screening for Helicobacter pylori infection and mental health care for a mother with depression at the time of preconception care may decreases hyperemesis gravidarum significantly during pregnancy.