Case-control study of risk factors associated with preeclampsia in the Gaza Strip

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to investigate risk factors associated with preeclampsia among registered pregnant women at primary health care centers in the Gaza Strip. Methods and materials: A case-control study was conducted in 2011 to investigate risk factors associated with preeclampsia in Gaza Strip. A total of 54 cases of preeclampsia were ascertained at four primary health care centers based on criteria defined by the World Health Organization. The study population included 162 pregnant women (54 cases and 108 controls). Results: Previous history of preeclampsia (OR= 6.74, 95%, CI 2.89 to 15.72), hypertension (6.63, 1.29 to 34.03), maternal age exceeding 35 years (4.9, 2.07 to 11.60) and education < 9 years were significantly associated with increased risk of preeclampsia. Moreover, young mothers (1.36, 0.37 to 5.04), primigravida (1.54, 0.70 to 3.35), pregnant with family history (1.95, 0.94 to 4.07), obese (2.01, 0.89 to 4.51) and diabetic pregnant women (2.04, 0.28 to 14.88) were more prone to develop preeclampsia. Living within an extended family, maternal education exceeding 9 years and maternal age between 18 and 35 years were protective factors. No statistical relationship could be concluded between maternal occupation and multiple pregnancy, and preeclampsia development. Conclusion: Previous and family history of preeclampsia, dietary related chronic diseases (obesity, diabetes mellitus and essential hypertension), being primigravida and increasing maternal age are risk factors that increased the risk of development of preeclampsia. Proper antenatal care and prompt management of dietary related chronic diseases are important in the early detection and management of preeclampsia.