The Effect of Eating Patterns and Nutritional Status on the Incidence of Hypertension in Pregnant Women in Tanjung Pura Hospital in Langkat Regency

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 19 views

The Effect of Eating Patterns and Nutritional Status on the Incidence of Hypertension in Pregnant Women in Tanjung Pura Hospital in Langkat Regency

Hypertension is a significant health concern for pregnant women, and it is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide. In Langkat Regency, the maternal mortality rate in 2010 reached 238 per 100,000 live births, with hypertension-related complications being a major contributor to this statistic. Tanjung Pura General Hospital has reported a high incidence of hypertension among pregnant women, with 107 out of 970 women experiencing hypertension during their pregnancy examination. This phenomenon highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between a pregnant woman's diet and her risk of developing hypertension.

Hypertension during pregnancy can have severe consequences for both the mother and the baby. It can lead to preterm labor, low birth weight, and even maternal death. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified hypertension as a major risk factor for maternal mortality, and it is essential to identify the underlying causes of this condition to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies.

This study aimed to analyze the effect of diet and nutritional status on the incidence of hypertension in pregnant women in Tanjung Pura Hospital, Langkat Regency. A prospective cohort study design was used, with a population consisting of pregnant women at 24 to 32 weeks' gestation. The research samples consisted of 60 pregnant women who were selected using the Consecutive Sampling method. Data collection included interviews using food recall forms, weight weighing, upper arm circumference measurements (Lila), and blood pressure measurements. Data analysis was carried out using double logistics regression at the level of significance α = 0.05.

The results of this study showed that energy, protein, fat, and sodium intake statistically had a significant effect on the incidence of hypertension in pregnant women. Specifically, energy intake had a value of P = 0.001; protein intake had a value of p = 0.025; fat intake had a value of p = 0.006; and sodium intake had a value of p = 0.037. Lila size also had a significant effect on the incidence of hypertension, with a value of P = 0.030. Furthermore, weight gain in pregnant women with a higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with an increased risk of hypertension (p = 0.046), while weight gain in mothers with normal BMI did not show a significant effect (p = 0.367).

The results of this study suggest that a healthy diet plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of hypertension in pregnant women. The most dominant variable affecting the incidence of hypertension was found to be fat intake, with a coefficient B = 1,365 and Exp. B = 0.255. This indicates that pregnant women who have a poor fat intake are at a higher risk of experiencing hypertension compared to those with adequate fat intake.

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Health workers, especially midwives, should increase socialization and provide routine counseling on healthy diet to pregnant women.
Regular blood pressure monitoring every month during pregnancy is essential to reduce the risk of hypertension and improve maternal health outcomes.
Pregnant women should be encouraged to maintain a healthy diet, with a focus on adequate energy, protein, and fat intake.
Health workers should provide education and support to pregnant women on the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and body mass index (BMI) during pregnancy.

This study had several limitations, including the small sample size and the use of a prospective cohort study design. Future studies should aim to recruit a larger sample size and use a more robust study design to confirm the findings of this study.

Future studies should aim to investigate the relationship between diet and nutritional status and the incidence of hypertension in pregnant women in different populations and settings. Additionally, studies should aim to identify the underlying mechanisms by which diet and nutritional status affect the risk of hypertension in pregnant women.

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of a healthy diet in reducing the risk of hypertension in pregnant women. The findings of this study suggest that health workers, especially midwives, should increase socialization and provide routine counseling on healthy diet. Regular blood pressure monitoring every month during pregnancy is also essential to reduce the risk of hypertension and improve maternal health outcomes. By maintaining a good diet and getting the right health monitoring, it is hoped that pregnant women can undergo a safer and healthier pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Effect of Eating Patterns and Nutritional Status on the Incidence of Hypertension in Pregnant Women in Tanjung Pura Hospital in Langkat Regency

Q: What is the main cause of maternal mortality in Langkat Regency? A: The main cause of maternal mortality in Langkat Regency is complications related to hypertension during pregnancy.

Q: How many pregnant women experience hypertension in Tanjung Pura General Hospital? A: Out of 970 pregnant women undergoing pregnancy examination, as many as 107 mothers experience hypertension.

Q: What is the purpose of this study? A: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of diet and nutritional status on the incidence of hypertension in pregnant women in Tanjung Pura Hospital, Langkat Regency.

Q: What type of research design was used in this study? A: A prospective cohort study design was used in this study.

Q: What data collection methods were used in this study? A: Data collection included interviews using food recall forms, weight weighing, upper arm circumference measurements (Lila), and blood pressure measurements.

Q: What was the significance level used in this study? A: The significance level used in this study was α = 0.05.

Q: What were the results of this study? A: The results of this study showed that energy, protein, fat, and sodium intake statistically had a significant effect on the incidence of hypertension in pregnant women.

Q: What was the most dominant variable affecting the incidence of hypertension in this study? A: The most dominant variable affecting the incidence of hypertension in this study was fat intake, with a coefficient B = 1,365 and Exp. B = 0.255.

Q: What are the recommendations based on the findings of this study? A: The recommendations based on the findings of this study are:

Health workers, especially midwives, should increase socialization and provide routine counseling on healthy diet to pregnant women.
Regular blood pressure monitoring every month during pregnancy is essential to reduce the risk of hypertension and improve maternal health outcomes.
Pregnant women should be encouraged to maintain a healthy diet, with a focus on adequate energy, protein, and fat intake.
Health workers should provide education and support to pregnant women on the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and body mass index (BMI) during pregnancy.

Q: What are the limitations of this study? A: The limitations of this study include the small sample size and the use of a prospective cohort study design.

Q: What are the future directions for this study? A: Future studies should aim to investigate the relationship between diet and nutritional status and the incidence of hypertension in pregnant women in different populations and settings. Additionally, studies should aim to identify the underlying mechanisms by which diet and nutritional status affect the risk of hypertension in pregnant women.

Q: What is the significance of this study? A: The significance of this study is that it highlights the importance of a healthy diet in reducing the risk of hypertension in pregnant women. The findings of this study suggest that health workers, especially midwives, should increase socialization and provide routine counseling on healthy diet. Regular blood pressure monitoring every month during pregnancy is also essential to reduce the risk of hypertension and improve maternal health outcomes.