The effect of dietary patterns on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in North Shewa, Ethiopia: A propensity score matched case-control study

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of dietary patterns during pregnancy on HDP. A propensity score matched case-control study was conducted with 340 pregnant women (71 cases and 269 controls) in North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. Data were collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire and maternal anthropometry measurements. After propensity score matching, a conditional logistic regression model was used to identify the independent predictors of HDP by adjusting for the confounders. A p-value of < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant.

Results: A high dietary diversity score (Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR) = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.93) was associated with a lower odds of HDP. Being merchant (AOR = 3.71 (95% CI: 1.16, 11.89), having previous history of HDP (AOR = 27.58; 95% CI: 4.53, 168.06) and high hemoglobin level (AOR = 2.26; 95% CI: 1.66, 3.09) were associated with an increased odds of HDP. Diet is an amendable factor, and the promotion of diversified diet is an important approach for preventing the occurrence of HDP. Women should be counselled to diversify their dietary intake to include a high amount of vegetables, legumes, and fruit.