MAGNITUDE OF INADEQUATE GESTATIONAL WEIGHT GAIN AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN SEEKING MATERNAL HEALTH SERVICES IN GURAGE ZONE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background; Gestational weight gain (GWG) is the increment in the weight of pregnant women from conception to delivery. The recommended total weight gain during pregnancy is 12.5Kg (11.5 to 16 Kg) for women with normal prepregnancy weight. Despite the fact that gestational weight gain is essential for positive pregnancy outcomes, a significant proportion of women gain inadequate weight and limited data about the subject in developing countries including Ethiopia. Objectives; the study aimed to assess the magnitude of inadequate gestational weight gain and its associated factors among pregnant women who seek maternal health care service on public health facilities in Gurage zone central Ethiopia, 2025. Methods; Mixed method design was employed. Five hundred forty pregnant women for quantitative study and 55 for qualitative study were selected using multi stage sampling and phenomenological sampling techniques respectively. Data was collected using interviewer administered structured questionnaire, focus discussion groups FDGs and in-depth interview. Then quantitative data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics including frequency, mean and standard deviation were computed. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to assessing the association of factors with outcome variable. The association declared at P analyzed by thematic framework using open code version 4.0.2.3 software. Result: Out of total participants yielding a response rate of 98 %, and 52.8 % (95% CI: 46.2, 57.8) pregnant mothers had Inadequate gestational weight gain. Women from rural residency had higher odds (AOR = 4.53, 95%CI: 2.39, 8.58) of inadequate gestational weight compared to urban residents. The other variables including BMI (AOR=20.6, 95% CI: 4.89,87.2), suboptimal ANC (AOR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.35, 4.13), inadequate diet diversity (AOR = 8.75, 95% CI: 4.72-16.2) and food insecurity (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI:1.14-3.63) had positive association with gestational weight gain. Conclusion; Nearly half of pregnant women had inadequate gestational weight in Gurage zone, Ethiopia. Enhancing ANC uptake, promoting dietary diversity with major focus on rural community can help to reduce inadequate weight gain.