The Relationship between Maternal Age and History of Hypertension with the Incidence of Hypertension in Pregnant Women at Kendari City Regional General Hospital

Abstract

Hypertension during pregnancy remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study aimed to determine the relationship between maternal age and history of hypertension with the incidence of hypertension in pregnant women at Kendari City Regional General Hospital (RSUD Kota Kendari). A quantitative, cross-sectional analytical design was employed. The study was conducted in May 2025. Samples consisted of 132 pregnant women with hypertension and a gravidity of ≥2 during 2022–2024, selected by purposive sampling from hospital medical records. Bivariate analysis used the Chi-Square test (α = 0.05). Results showed that 56.1% of respondents had chronic hypertension and 43.9% had gestational hypertension. For the age variable, the Chi-Square test yielded p = 0.002 (< 0.05), indicating a significant relationship between maternal age and hypertension incidence. High-risk age groups (< 20 or > 35 years) predominantly experienced chronic hypertension (66.2%). For history of hypertension, the test yielded p = 0.035 (< 0.05), also indicating a significant association; respondents with a prior hypertension history more frequently developed chronic hypertension (60.8%). Both maternal age and history of hypertension are significantly associated with the type and occurrence of hypertension in pregnancy. Antenatal care providers should screen for these risk factors early to mitigate complications