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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Prenatal Care | Research

Pre-conception and prenatal factors influencing gestational weight gain: a prospective study in Tigray region, northern Ethiopia

Authors: Kebede Haile Misgina, Eline M. van der Beek, H. Marike Boezen, Afework Mulugeta Bezabih, Henk Groen

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

In low-income countries, the high prevalence of pre-pregnancy undernutrition remains a challenge for the future health of women and their offspring. On top of good nutrition, adequate gestational weight gain has been recognized as an essential prerequisite for optimal maternal and child health outcomes. However, good-quality data on factors influencing gestational weight gain is lacking. Therefore, this study was aimed to prospectively identify pre-conception and prenatal factors influencing gestational weight gain in Ethiopia.

Methods

A population based prospective study was undertaken between February 2018 and January 2019 in the Tigray region, northern Ethiopia. Firstly, the weight of non-pregnant women of reproductive age living in the study area was measured between August and October 2017. Subsequently, eligible pregnant women identified during the study period were included consecutively and followed until birth. Data were collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurements complemented with secondary data. Gestational weight gain, i.e., the difference between 32 to 36 weeks of gestation and pre-pregnancy weights, was classified as per the Institute of Medicine (IOM) guideline. Linear, spline, and logistic regression models were used to estimate the influence of pre-conception and prenatal factors on gestational weight gain.

Results

The mean gestational weight gain (standard deviation[SD]) was 10.6 (2.3) kg. Overall, 64.0% (95% CI 60.9, 67.1) of the women did not achieve adequate weight gain. Factors associated with higher gestational weight gain were higher women empowerment (B 0.60, 95% CI 0.06, 1.14), dietary diversity (B 0.39, 95% CI 0.03, 0.76), pre-pregnancy body mass index (B 0.13, 95% CI 0.05, 0.22), and haemoglobin (B 0.54, 95% CI 0.45, 0.64). Additionally, adequate prenatal care (B 0.58, 95% CI 0.28, 0.88) was associated with higher gestational weight gain.

Conclusions

Adequate gestational weight gain was not achieved by most women in the study area, primarily not by those who were underweight before pregnancy. Interventions that advance women’s empowerment, dietary quality, pre-pregnancy nutritional status, and prenatal care utilization may improve gestational weight gain and contribute to optimizing maternal and child health outcomes.
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Metadata
Title
Pre-conception and prenatal factors influencing gestational weight gain: a prospective study in Tigray region, northern Ethiopia
Authors
Kebede Haile Misgina
Eline M. van der Beek
H. Marike Boezen
Afework Mulugeta Bezabih
Henk Groen
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Prenatal Care
Published in
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-04171-z

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