Purpose:

Little is known about the factors contributing to preeclampsia in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine factors associated with preeclampsia among pregnant women in public hospitals.

Methods and materials:

An institution based unmatched case-control study was conducted. Women with preeclampsia were cases, and those without preeclampsia were controls. The study participants were selected using the consecutive sampling method with a case-to-control ratio of 1:2. The data were collected through measurements and a face-to-face interview. Then the data were entered using Epi Info and exported to STATA 14 for analysis. The findings were presented in text, tables, and figures.

Results:

About 51 (46.4%) of cases and 81 (36.8%) of controls had no formal education. Multiple gestational pregnancies (AOR = 2.75; 95% CI: 1.20-6.28); history of abortion (AOR = 3.17, 95% CI: 1.31-7.70); change of paternity (AOR = 3.16, 95% CI: 1.47-6.83); previous use of implants (AOR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.13-0.96); and fruit intake during pregnancy (AOR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.18-0.72) were associated factors of preeclampsia.

Conclusion:

History of abortion, change of paternity, and multiple gestational pregnancies were risk factors for preeclampsia. Fruit intake during pregnancy and previous use of implant contraceptives were negatively associated with preeclampsia. Further studies should be conducted regarding the effect of prior implant use on preeclampsia. Healthcare providers should give special attention to women with a history of abortion and multiple gestational pregnancies during the ANC follow-up period.