Community health worker knowledge and management of pre-eclampsia in rural Karnataka State, India

Abstract

BackgroundIn India, the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and postpartum haemorrhage are responsible for nearly 40 % of all maternal deaths. Most of these deaths occur in primary health settings which frequently lack essential equipment and medication, are understaffed, and have limited or no access to specialist care. Community health care workers are regarded as essential providers of basic maternity care; and the quality of care they provide is dependent on the level of knowledge and skills they possess. However, there is limited research regarding their ability to manage pregnancy complications. This study aims to describe the current state of knowledge regarding pre-eclampsia and eclampsia among community health care workers (auxiliary nurse midwives, accredited social health activists, staff nurses) in northern Karnataka, India. Furthermore, this study describes the treatment approaches used by various cadres of community health workers for these conditions. The findings of this study can help plan focussed training sessions to build upon their strengths and to address the identified gaps.MethodsData were collected as part of a larger study aimed at assessing the feasibility of community-based treatment for pre-eclampsia. Eight focus group discussions were conducted in 2012–2013 in northern Karnataka State: four with staff nurses and auxiliary nurse midwives and four with accredited social health activists. In addition, twelve auxiliary nurse midwives and staff nurses completed questionnaires to explore their competence and self-efficacy in managing pre-eclampsia. Qualitative data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated for thematic analysis using NVivo 10.ResultsCommunity health workers described their understanding of the origins of hypertension and seizures in pregnancy. Psychological explanations of hypertension were most commonly reported: stress, tension, and fear. The most common explanation for eclampsia was not receiving a tetanus vaccination. Despite some common misperceptions regarding aetiology, these community health workers demonstrated a good grasp of the potential consequences of hypertension in pregnancy. According to auxiliary nurse midwives and staff nurses, if hypertension was detected they encouraged rest, decreased salt intake, iron supplementation and tetanus vaccination. In addition, some staff nurses administered antihypertensives, MgSO4, or other anticonvulsants. All auxiliary nurse midwives had some awareness of MgSO4, but none had administered it themselves.ConclusionsThis study showed that knowledge regarding the aetiology of pre-eclampsia was limited. Nevertheless, their basic knowledge and skills could be strengthened to more effectively manage the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in their communities.Trial registration NCT01911494 Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12978-016-0219-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Perceptions on preeclampsia and eclampsia among older women in rural southwestern Uganda

“…[ [13][14][15] The clinical presentation of preeclampsia and eclampsia may not be well understood by some of the communities, and is often confused with other conditions and some communities believe local home remedies may cure them. [13] Some communities associate preeclampsia/eclampsia with witchcraft.…”

The Impact of an Intensive Educational Program Regarding Preeclampsia on Health Professional Knowledge

“…2011 and confirmed that a bad structure in clinical areas contributed to bad care for the patients [19]. A current study by Remadurg et al, 2016, reported that training and regular evaluation of knowledge and competences of the health professionals in connection with early diagnosis and immediate treatment of preeclampsia had to be updated [20]. Another study recommends that nurses and midwives not only should improve their knowledge, but also their practice, to ensure competence regarding patient care [21].…”

Effect of Nursing Program on Improving Nurses’ Knowledge and Skills Regarding Care of Eclamptic Women

“…Recent research conducted by [22], who have revealed that one of the bad needs of nurses is to update their knowledge and skills for early detection and proper treatment of preeclamspia. Also to reach the competence, nurses need to improve both knowledge and skills [23].…”