Abstract:
Introduction: Gestational weight gain is explained as a weight change from the last menstrual
period to term pregnancy. Women with increased age, educational status, income, and late
gestational age had good knowledge and favorable attitudes regarding GWG and factors associated
with gestational weight gain. There was shortage of reference on the knowledge and attitude of
pregnant women towards gestational weight gain in our setting.
Objective: To assess knowledge and attitude towards gestational weight gain and associated factors
among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Holeta public health facilities, Holeta Central,
Ethiopia, 2023.
Method and materials: An institution-based-based-sectional study was designed and conducted,
and the study was carried out from March 1 to 30, 2023. Pregnant women who were selected from
each health facility by Systematic random sampling were our study participants. The final sample
size was 365. The sample size was proportionally allocated to all health facilities included in the
study. Data was collected using pretested interview-administered structured questionnaires, interred
in Epi Info statistical software version 7.2, and exported to SPSS version 21 for final analysis.
Descriptive statistics such as percentage, frequency distribution, mean, ratio, and standard deviation
of different characteristics were calculated. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression
analyses were performed to examine the associations between dependent and independent
variables. The Hosmer and Lemeshow test was applied to test the logistic regression model for
goodness of fit. Variables with a P value < 0.25 were entered into multivariable logistic regression
to control the cofounders. A P-value of 0.05 was used as the criterion for statistical significance,
and an AOR with a 95% confidence interval was used to check the strength of the association.
Result: The response rate for all study participants was 96.9%. Among study participants, 201
(56.8%) had good knowledge and 169 (47.7%) had a positive attitude towards gestational weight
gain. Age groups 25-29 were 1.55 (AOR = 1.553; 95% CI: 1.55(1.020-2.358)) more knowledgeable
than other age groups. Multipara pregnant women (AOR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.33 (1.216-2.508)) are
more likely to have a favourable attitude toward gestational weight than primipara.
Conclusion: study concluded that 57% of pregnant women had a favorable attitude, and more than
half (52.3%) had good knowledge about the recommended gestational weight increase. Health care
workers should educate pregnant women gestational weight gain.
