Abstract:
Background: Thyroid dysfunction is frequently a non-specific symptomatic condition during
pregnancy. Thus, to minimize its disease consequence-associated with thyroid abnormality,
mainly during pregnancy it is important to identify it promptly and grasp the factors that
contribute to at the early stages. However, limited documented information exists on the
prevalence and associated factors of thyroid dysfunction among pregnant women in Ethiopia
especially in the study area.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and associated factors among
pregnant women in Adama Hospital Medical College, Adama, and Oromia, Ethiopia.
Materials and methods: A hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was carried out on
290 study participants considering 1:1 ratio of pregnant and non-pregnant women who were
enrolled using a consecutive sampling technique. Structured questionnaires employed to gather
socio-demographic, medical and lifestyle information through face to face interviews and
reviewing their medical files. Anthropometrics was measurements at Adama hospital medical
college MICH and thyroid function test done at Adama Public Health Research and Referral
Laboratory Center. The collected data were entered to Epi-Data version 3.1 and analyzed using
SPSS version 25 software. Statistical tests, including Chi-square test, independent sample t-test,
binary logistic regression analysis, multivariate, were utilized for data analysis.
Results: Out of the 290 study participants, 104(35.86%) had thyroid dysfunction, of which 63
(43.45%) being pregnant and 41(28.28%) being non-pregnant women. The chi-square test
showed statistically significant associations between pregnancy and thyroid dysfunction
(X 2 =7.256, p=.007), and stillbirths (X 2 =4.99, p=.025). Both TSH and T4 were showed a
statistically significant difference among pregnant and non-pregnant women in the independent
sample t-test (t=2.091, p=.037 and t=2.361, p=.019, respectively). Multivariate logistic
regression analysis revealed that a family history of hypothyroidism had a statistical significance
association with AOR of 3.399(95% CI: 1.414-8.170, p=.006), and inadequate iodized salt
consumption was associated with an AOR of 1.494 (9 inadequate 5% CI: 0.197-1.237, p=.032).
Conclusions: The study pointed out a higher prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among pregnant
women, highlighting the necessity of prompt detection and treatment to mitigate adverse effects.
Significant association with stillbirths, inadequate iodized salt consumption and family history of
hypothyroidism call for prompt interventions for better maternal and fetal outcomes
