Abstract:
Background: Gestational weight gain is an important anthropometric indicator of the
nutritional status of mothers which is influenced not only by changes in maternal
physiology but also by placenta metabolism. Abnormal gestational weight gain is
currently a major obstetric problem. However, the magnitude of the problem is not known
in the study area
Objective: To assess the magnitude of gestational weight gain and associated factors
among pregnant women attending antenatal care in public health facilities, Wolisso town.
Methods: Institutional-based cross sectional study design was conducted among 341
pregnant women in Wolisso town from September 01 to September 30, 2022. Both
primary and secondary data were collected using a structured pretested questionnaire and
a checklist. To identify the existence of association between the dependent and
independent variables, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used.
Adjusted odds ratio along with 95% confidence interval was computed to measure the
strength of association and the p – value < 0.05 was considered as level of statistical
significance.
Results: overall 336 eligible women participated in the study making 98.5% response
rate. The study revealed that 69.6% and 25.3% of the women were gained inadequate,
adequate gestational weight, respectively. The mean gestational weight gain was 8.38 (SD
±4.9) kg. The factors associated with adequate gestational weight gain were education
(diploma and above) [(AOR = 6.98, 95% CI (2.40-20.30)], having family support of
pregnant mothers [(AOR = 4.19, 95% CI (1.64, 10.67)], having frequency of eating four
times or more per day [(AOR =2.725, 95% CI (1.36, 5.47)], nutritional advice [(AOR =
4.41,95 % CI (2.1, 9.28)] and Sleeping problem [(AOR = 6.09, 95%CI (2.11, 17.55)].
Conclusions and recommendation: Generally, low proportion of women gained adequate
gestational weight. The women who had diploma and above, supported by family during
pregnancy, who eat frequently, who had no sleeping problem and who get nutritional
advice were more likely to gain adequate gestational weight compared to their counter
parts. Health professionals should be aware of the current magnitude of gestational
weight gain and work with the pregnant women on key modifiable determinant factors.
