Knowledge, Perception and Practice towards the Risks of Excessive Weight Gain during Pregnancy among Pregnant Mothers at Myung Sung Christian Medical General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Being overweight and obese represents a severe public health deterioration affecting all population in general and vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women in particular. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, perception and practice towards the risks of excessive weight gain during pregnancy among pregnant mothers at Myung Sung Christian Medical General Hospital. METHODS: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August, 2019. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select participants. A total of 176 respondents were included in the study. Data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaire, observation checklist, and measurements of weight and height. Statistical product and service solution version 20.0 was employed for analysis. Descriptive statistics, using tables and charts, was used to present results. RESULTS: Gestational diabetes mellitus (83.5%) and high blood pressure (80.7%) were the major known risks associated with excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Based on the mean score, 96(54.5%) had poor knowledge while 80(45.5%) had good knowledge about the risks of excessive weight gain. The majority (92.0%) overweight and all obese pregnant mothers did not know their actual weight status. Similarly, 134(76.1%) of the study participants were not engaged in regular physical exercise during the current pregnancy. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that pregnant mothers attending in Korean General Hospital were generally poorly knowledgeable on the risks of excessive weight gain during pregnancy, had poor perception on current weight status and poor practices on their weight gain management. Facility based education and community awareness creation should accompany antenatal care services.