Association Between Pesticide Exposure and Preeclampsia Risk in Multiparous Women in Shallot Agricultural Areas of Brebes Regency

Faculty of Public Health, Diponegoro University, 50275 Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: winarni@live.undip.ac.id

Abstract

Preeclampsia remains a leading contributor to maternal mortality, particularly in agricultural areas with intensive pesticide use such as shallot farms. This quantitative, case-control study investigated environmental and individual risk factors for preeclampsia among 75 multiparous women in the Sitanggal Health Center area, comprising 25 cases and 50 controls selected by random sampling. Significant associations were found between preeclampsia and pesticide exposure (p = 0.001), history of preeclampsia (p = 0.010), incomplete antenatal care (p = 0.000), short interpregnancy intervals (p = 0.000; OR = 33.1), anemia (p = 0.004), and poor nutritional status (p = 0.000). Environmental exposure to pesticides emerged as a critical determinant of maternal health risks, potentially exacerbated by inadequate personal protective practices and limited health literacy among farming populations. The findings highlight the importance of integrating environmental health education, regular antenatal monitoring, nutritional management, and safe farming practices to reduce preeclampsia risk in agricultural communities.