Prevalence and associated factors of melasma among pregnant women on antenatal care at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: an institutional-based cross-sectional study

Melasma is a common cause of facial disfigurement among pregnant women. It has a huge aesthetic and psychological impact on women. Although there is no evidence to date in this area, determining the prevalence and associated factors of melasma among pregnant women will help inform possible interventions. To assess the prevalence and associated factors of melasma among pregnant women in antenatal care at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia, 2021. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 403 participants. Epi Info version 7 was used for data entry, and STATA version 25 was used for data analysis. Proportion was reported for the descriptive outcome. Both bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression were applied. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was reported as the effect size. A P-value < 0.05 was considered for statistical significance. The study revealed that the prevalence of melasma among pregnant women is found to be 175 (43.42%) (95% CI, 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, 95% CI, 0.03–0.38) and ≥ 37 weeks (AOR = 2.29, 95% CI, 1.30–4.03), menstrual irregularity (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI, 1.27–3.38), being a foodmaker (AOR = 2.54, 95% CI, 1.14–5.64), and using electricity as an energy source (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI, 0.23–0.70) were significantly associated with melasma. In this study, the prevalence of melasma among pregnant women is high, with the majority of cases being centrofacial. Older age, increased family size, later gestational age, menstrual irregularity, being a food-maker, and not using electricity as an energy source were factors associated with melasma among pregnant women. Further research is needed to test the effect of electricity on melasma.