Prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum and associated risk factors among pregnant women in a tertiary health facility in Northeast, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: One of the commonest symptoms observed in pregnant women before the 20th week of gestation is nausea and vomiting, an exaggeration of these symptoms hyperemesis gravidarum (HEG) could result in maternal and fetal catastrophes and even death. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for hyperemesis gravidarum among pregnant women at booking.Methods: A prospective institutional based study design was done among 452 pregnant women seen at booking in a tertiary hospital in Northeast Nigeria from the 1st February 2019 to 30th June 2019. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics. OR was used to measure significant risk.Results: The observed prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum among pregnant women in the study is 44.9%. The Majority (81.4%) of these women were between the age range of 21 and 35 years. Mean age of 27 years. Multiparity (33.4%), previous (44.9%) and family history of HEG (31.6%) were identified as important risk factors for developing HEG. Grand multiparity (11.5%) and gestational age less than 13 weeks (6.64%) were however less likely observed to be risks for HEG.Conclusions: HEG is a common problem in pregnancy with almost half of the number of pregnant women at booking affected. Multiparity and past history of HEG are pointers to developing the condition and it should be looked out for among at risk group of pregnant women, so that early intervention can be instituted to avoid any possible adverse outcome.

Proportion of hyperemesis gravidarum and associated factors among pregnant women admitted into the obstetrics ward at Akesta general hospital, North East Ethiopia

“…Pregnant women who live in rural areas are of poor socioeconomic status and are exposed to stress that increases the severity of nausea and vomiting. While this finding was lower than the study conducted in North-East Nigeria (44.9%) [ 8 ]. This difference might be due to differences in study design and study population.…”

“…In the world, Asian and Middle Eastern ethnicities have higher rates of HG, even as high as 10.8% in a study reported by Fejzo et al [ 6 ]. In Africa, studies conducted in Egypt and Northeast Nigeria revealed that the proportion of HG was 4.5% and 44.9% respectively [ 7 , 8 ]. Studies conducted in Ethiopia Jimma university hospital, Addis Ababa three teaching hospitals and Arba Minch General Hospital stated that the proportion of HG was 4.8%, 4.4% and 8.2% respectively [ 9 – 11 ].…”

Determinants of hyperemesis gravidarum among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public and private hospitals in Bahir Dar City, North-West Ethiopia, 2022: a multicenter unmatched case control study

“…Similarly, a review article by Gabra A in 2018 found that there was a strong association between family history and HEG [ 1 ]. This finding is also similar to a study done in Uganda, Nigeria, and the USA [ 3 , 21 , 24 ], which shows a significantly higher risk of hyperemesis in women whose sister’s or mother’s had hyperemesis gravidarum. This could be because of the familial aggregation gene, mainly the growth differentiation factor 15 gene and its action in the chemoreceptor trigger zone of the brain which has genetic associations with HEG.…”

“…However, this contradicts a study done in Nigeria, in which multiparity was a risk factor. The possible explanation given in this study is that most women in the study included were above the age of 30; in this age group, women might have had two or more deliveries because of the cultural practice of early marriage and childbearing in Nigeria [ 21 ].…”

Determinants of hyperemesis gravidarum among pregnant women in public hospitals of Guji, West Guji, and Borana zones, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022

“…This finding was supported by a study conducted in northern Ethiopia, southern Ethiopia, and a study done in Nigeria. 13 , 21 This is the fact that the genetic predisposition to the condition, evidence supports that daughter women who experienced the condition were at increased risk of developing HG. Family-based studies provide evidence that female relatives of patients with HG are more likely to be affected, with a 17-fold increased risk if a sister has HG.…”