Abstract:
Background: Gestational hypertension is the most frequent cause of hypertension during
pregnancy and can subsequently progress to preeclampsia.
Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence of undiagnosed gestational hypertension and
the associated factors among women living in the Nadi Gibe district, Jimma zone, Southwest
Ethiopia, 2022.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional design with mixed method was conducted from
June 16–29, 2022. A systematic random sampling and purposive sampling technique were used
for quantitative and qualitative study. Epi Data version 3.1 was used to enter data, and the
Statistical Package for Social Science version 23 was used to analyze it. Binary logistic regression
analysis with a cut-off point for statistical significance, p-value of 0.05 and adjusted odds ratio
with a 95% confidence interval were used.
Result: A total of 606 pregnant women participated, with a response rate of 95.4%. The prevalence
of undiagnosed gestational hypertension among women was 5.6%. Positive family history of
chronic hypertension (AOR = 2.49,95% CI = [1.19-5.22], kidney diseases (AOR = 2.44, 95% CI
= [1.22-4.86], psychological stress (AOR = 2.19,95% CI = [1.09-4.41], alcohol use (AOR = 3.48,
95% CI = [1.76-6.87], women napping at day time (AOR = 2.09, 95% CI = [1.07-4.07]), and
animal fat or oil use (AOR = 1.95, 95% CI = [1.02-3.71] were found to be associated factors with
undiagnosed gestational hypertension.
Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence of undiagnosed gestational hypertension was
5.6% among women in the study area. Family history of chronic hypertension, kidney diseases,
psychological stress, napping at day time, alcohol use, and animal fat or oil use were found to be
significantly associated factors for hypertension. Therefore, regular health education program to
raise awareness and community-based screening program should be given priority for early
detection of hypertension and prevention of complications.
