Maternal fine particulate matter exposure and adverse pregnancy outcome in rural Ethiopia: A population-based cohort study
1
Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2
Public Health, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
3
Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Adverse pregnancy outcomes are a major public health concern in low-resource settings such as Ethiopia, caused by demographic, obstetric, psychological, and environmental factors, including air pollution. Despite extensive research on various determinants, limited evidence exists on maternal exposure to fine particulate matter. This study aimed to assess its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
METHODS:
A prospective cohort study was conducted among 325 pregnant women in rural Butajira, Ethiopia 2025, with pregnancy and gestational age confirmed by ultrasound. Sociodemographic, maternal, and environmental characteristics were collected through face-to-face interviews, and PM₂.₅ exposure was measured using the Atmotube Pro device. Pregnancy outcomes were recorded within 72-hours after delivery at health facilities. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between PM₂.₅ exposure and outcomes, while Poisson model was used to estimate relative risks. Adjusted relative risks with 95%CI were reported, and p<0.05 indicated statistical significance.
RESULTS:
Overall incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome was 18.2%, including low birth weight (8.2%), preterm birth (8.7%), spontaneous abortion (1.23%), and stillbirth (0.62%). Maternal PM₂.₅ exposure was significantly associated with low birth weight and overall adverse pregnancy outcomes. Each interquartile range increase (27.0µg/m³) raised the risk of low birth weight by 1.2 times and overall adverse outcomes by 1.11 times. No significant association was observed with preterm birth.
CONCLUSIONS:
Maternal PM₂.₅ exposure was significantly associated with low birth weight and overall adverse pregnancy outcomes, but not with preterm birth. These findings emphasize the need for public health interventions to reduce PM₂.₅ exposure among pregnant women, especially in rural areas where biomass fuel use is common.
Adverse pregnancy outcomes are a major public health concern in low-resource settings such as Ethiopia, caused by demographic, obstetric, psychological, and environmental factors, including air pollution. Despite extensive research on various determinants, limited evidence exists on maternal exposure to fine particulate matter. This study aimed to assess its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
METHODS:
A prospective cohort study was conducted among 325 pregnant women in rural Butajira, Ethiopia 2025, with pregnancy and gestational age confirmed by ultrasound. Sociodemographic, maternal, and environmental characteristics were collected through face-to-face interviews, and PM₂.₅ exposure was measured using the Atmotube Pro device. Pregnancy outcomes were recorded within 72-hours after delivery at health facilities. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between PM₂.₅ exposure and outcomes, while Poisson model was used to estimate relative risks. Adjusted relative risks with 95%CI were reported, and p<0.05 indicated statistical significance.
RESULTS:
Overall incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome was 18.2%, including low birth weight (8.2%), preterm birth (8.7%), spontaneous abortion (1.23%), and stillbirth (0.62%). Maternal PM₂.₅ exposure was significantly associated with low birth weight and overall adverse pregnancy outcomes. Each interquartile range increase (27.0µg/m³) raised the risk of low birth weight by 1.2 times and overall adverse outcomes by 1.11 times. No significant association was observed with preterm birth.
CONCLUSIONS:
Maternal PM₂.₅ exposure was significantly associated with low birth weight and overall adverse pregnancy outcomes, but not with preterm birth. These findings emphasize the need for public health interventions to reduce PM₂.₅ exposure among pregnant women, especially in rural areas where biomass fuel use is common.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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