Prevalence and associated factors of melasma among pregnant women on antenatal care at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021

Abstract

Abstract Background: Melasma is a common cause of facial disfiguring among pregnant women. This condition has huge aesthetic impact and psychological distress on women particularly among pregnant. Even though, knowledge on its extent and factors will help for possible interventions; there was no any information on issue so far in the area. Objective: The aim of this research was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of Melasma among pregnant women at antenatal care clinic at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among pregnant women who attend antenatal care at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. A total of 403 participates were interviewed. Epi info version 7 for data entry and SPSS version 25 software for data analysis was used. Descriptive and analytical statistics was carried out. To identify independent factors of Melasma bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression was applied. Statistical significance was considered at p-value <0.05. Result: The total number of study participants were 403 among them230 (57.07%) were in the age group of 26 to 35 years and only 25 (6.2%) were above 35 years, 189(46.9%) had irregular mensuration, 37.47%,52.36%and 10.17% had 1 to 2,3to 4 and >4 family size respectively and 88.09% of women were food makers. Prevalence of Melasma was found to be 175(43.42%) with (95CI, 38.64%-48.33%). Women’s age (26 to 35) (AOR=2.33, 95%CI, 1.34-4.05) and above 35 (AOR=5.51, 95%CI, 1.70-17.87), family size (3 to 4) (AOR=2.12,95%CI, 1.21- 3.7) gestational age?16 weeks (AOR=0.11,95CI, 0.03-0.38) and ?37 weeks (AOR=2.29,955CI,1.30-4.03), Menstrual irregularity (AOR=2.08, 95%CI, 1.27-3.38), Being food maker (AOR=2.54, 95%CI, 1.14-5.64) and Using electricity as energy source (AOR=0.40, 95%CI, 0.23- 0.70). Conclusion: In this study the prevalence of Melasma was high and majority of cases were Centro –facial .Older age, increased family size, later gestational age, menstrual irregularity, using electricity as energy source for food making were significant factors for Melasma development. Further researches are better to be done on the effect of electricity on Melasma. Keywords: prevalence, associated factors, Melasma, pregnant women, Antenatal care and northwest Ethiop