Determinants of weight gain in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum in Dire Dawa administration, Eastern Ethiopia: An unmatched case-control study.

Background: Adequate gestational weight gain affects birth outcomes and increases the risk of non-communicable diseases later in life. Weight gain in pregnant Ethiopian women with hyperemesis gravidarum has not been investigated comprehensively.

Objective: To assess the determinants of weight gain in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravida in Dire Dawa Administration, Eastern Ethiopia.

Design: Unmatched case-control studyMethods:Pregnant women who visited health facilities for ante-natal care were recruited into this study using random sampling techniques. The World Health Organization Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, FANTA Version III Women's Dietary Diversity Score Questionnaire, and anthropometric measurements were used for the assessment of physical activities, dietary diversity, and gestational weight gain, respectively. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness model were used to identify the determinants of gestational weight gain in the study population. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results: A total of 657 pregnant women (219 patients and 438 controls) were included in this study. Among them, 44.3% and 47% of those in the patient and control groups, respectively, gained adequate weight during pregnancy (Std. 0.499: 95% CI: 42-49.8). Gravidity (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.43, 95%CI: 0.22-0.81), planned pregnancy (aOR: 0.28, 95%CI: 0.11-0.69), and pre-pregnancy weight (aOR: 0.16, 95%CI: 0.72-0.74) were determinants of weight gain in the patient group, whereas the secondary level of education (aOR: 0.59, 95%CI: 0.36-0.97) and pre-pregnancy weight (aOR: 0.20, 95%CI: 0.08, 0.50) were determinants of gestational weight gain in the control group.

Conclusion: The main determinants of gestational weight gain in women with hyperemesis gravidarum are gravidity, planned pregnancy, and pre-pregnancy weight. However, educational status and pre-pregnancy weight are the main determinants of gestational weight gain in women without hyperemesis gravidarum. Strengthening the nutritional life-cycle approach during pregnancy is important for ensuring that mothers maintain a healthy gestational weight.