Maternal outcomes of pre-eclampsia with severe features and its determinants at Abebech Gobena Mothers and Childrens Health and Saint Peter's Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with unfavourable maternal outcomes among pregnant women with pre-eclampsia with severity features (PEWSF) at Abebech Gobena Maternal and Children's Health and St. Peter's Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2023.

DESIGN: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 January 2023 to July 2023. The data was collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire through face-to-face interviews and a review clinical chart. Data was entered using EpiData V.4.6 and analysed using SPSS V.26.0 statistical software. Binary logistic regression analysis was run to identify predictors of maternal outcome.

SETTING: Two hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

PARTICIPANTS: 348 pregnant women with PEWSF were included.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Unfavourable maternal outcome was defined as mothers with PEWSF that develop at least one complication, that is, eclampsia, abruption placenta, Haemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes and Low Platelet Count (HELLP) syndrome, acute renal failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation, cardiac failure, stroke, postpartum haemorrhage, pulmonary oedema and death.

RESULTS: The overall prevalence of unfavourable maternal outcomes was 33.9% (N=118) (95% CI=28.7 to 38.8). Abruptio placenta (17.2%), HELLP syndrome (15.5%) and postpartum haemorrhage (13.8%) were common complications that occurred among mothers with PEWSF. Age above 35 years (adjusted OR (AOR) (95% CI)=2.70 (1.31 to 5.59)), rural residence (AOR (95% CI)=1.94 (1.07 to 3.53)), unemployment (AOR (95% CI)=0.35 (0.20 to 0.62)), severe blood pressure on admission (AOR (95% CI)=2.32 (1.03 to 5.19)) and complain of severe headache (AOR (95% CI)=1.91 (1.16 to 3.16)) were significant associates of unfavourable maternal outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of unfavourable maternal outcomes was high compared with other studies in Ethiopia. Maternal age, residence, occupation, blood pressure on admission and severe headache have shown a statistically significant association with unfavourable maternal outcomes. Socioeconomic development and early identification of severe signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia are needed to reduce unfavourable outcomes.