Maternal Age, Nutrition, and Pregnancy Count Impact Gestational Hypertension

Background: Maternal mortality in East Nusa Tenggara Province remains a persistent challenge for the Indonesian government, with rates significantly higher than the national average. Despite national reductions in MMR, the province's rates remain troublingly high, with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy being a leading cause. This study investigates the factors associated with gestational hypertension on Timor Island, aiming to improve maternal health outcomes and align with global health targets. Methods: A quantitative field survey was conducted in South Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, from June to October 2023. The study involved 160 pregnant women randomly selected from medical records across four Community Health Centers. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods to explore the relationships between maternal age, Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), number of pregnancies, and gestational hypertension. Results: The study found that 15.6% of respondents experienced gestational hypertension. Most were aged 20-35 years (71.3%), had normal MUAC (58.1%), and a non-risk number of pregnancies (79.3%). However, no significant correlations were found between gestational hypertension and the independent variables of age, MUAC, and number of pregnancies. Notably, a significant relationship was observed between maternal age and the number of pregnancies. Conclusion: While maternal age, MUAC size, and the number of pregnancies were not direct predictors of gestational hypertension, their interplay suggests areas for further investigation. The findings determined the need for comprehensive maternal nutritional assessments and targeted interventions to manage hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Improved data collection and primary data utilization are recommended to enhance maternal health outcomes in South Central Timor and contribute to achieving global health targets