Determination, knowledge and prevalence of pregnancy-induced hypertension/eclampsia among women of childbearing age at Same District Hospital in Tanzania

Abstract

Several risk factors including hypertension are common complications of pregnancy with preeclampsia particularly associated with substantial risk to both the mother and fetus. This cross-sectional study involving quantitative approach was conducted in Same District Hospital in Tanzania. Data were collected from all pregnant women in the hospital using questionnaires. Respondents' knowledge on maternal mortality regarding preeclampsia included those who had no knowledge 60(60%), and those who had knowledge 40(40%). Most of the respondents had no knowledge of maternal mortality due to the complications of preeclampsia. The study revealed that 64(64%), had positive attitude towards maternal mortality due to preeclampsia prevention while 36(36%) had no response. About 68(68%) of the respondents could not access the health facilities saying that these health facilities were not affordable citing that the distance was too long. They reported no health facilities and services as well as insecurity while looking for health facilities/services and finally that there were few health workers in the health facilities meaning that patients could not be attended to on time. Furthermore, health workers harassed the patients and make them seek other alternatives when they are sick, while minority 32(32%) said that the health facilities were accessible, affordable and efficient. Medical history during prenatal care showed that 25% of the respondent had increased blood pressure more than 140/90 mmHg, but only 10% had breath issues. Laboratory diagnosis of the respondents revealed increased proteinuria (48%) and impaired liver function (7%). Respondents experienced 39% convulsion and 24% pulmonary edema. Overall, the study identified a few predisposing factors to preeclampsia/eclampsia among pregnant women. Also, most of the respondents were said to have no knowledge of eclampsia thereby increasing maternal mortality.

Knowledge and Myths about Preeclampsia and Eclampsia and its influence on Antenatal Service Utilization among Expecting Couples in Mtwara Regional: A Cross Sectional Analytical Study.

“…The ndings of the present study showed that those who had adequate knowledge about preeclampsia and eclampsia were 37.9%. The present ndings seem to be inconsistent with other research done in Same Moshi Tanzania [ 13 ]which found that 40% reported having adequate knowledge on preeclampsia and eclampsia [16].. The ndings might be due to the unplanned or absence of educational program regarding preeclampsia and eclampsia in the health facility as well as Community bases.…”

“…This difference might be due to the geographical location where study was conducted as the current study conducted in Rural while the previous conducted in Urban, also it could be due to the differences in study population as the current study dealt with expecting couples both pregnant women and their male partners while the previous study focused mainly on pregnant women. This nding is in agreement with [ 13 ] ndings which showed 60.0%…”

Knowledge and Myths about Preeclampsia and Eclampsia and its influence on Antenatal Service Utilization among pregnant women and their male partners in Mtwara Region-Tanzania: A Cross Sectional Analytical Study.

“…These differences might be due to geographical location where the study conducted as the current study conducted in Rural while the previous conducted in Urban, also it could be due to differences in the study population as the current study dealt with both pregnant women and their male partners while the previous study focused mainly on pregnant women who are attending Antenatal clinic and get health education regarding their status. This finding also differ with [ 13 ] findings which showed 60.0% of the respondents reported to have no knowledge.…”

Knowledge of preeclampsia and its associated factors among pregnant women: a possible link to reduce related adverse outcomes

“…In Malaysia, a study by Teng and Keng found only 18.4% of women to have adequate knowledge of PE [27]. Other studies by Savage and Hoho [25] and Eze et al [26] reported that 59% and 60% of Tanzanian women had inadequate knowledge of PE, respectively. Evidence indicates that adequate understanding of a disorder contributes to its prevention, control and management because patients’ knowledge regarding a disease positively influenced patient compliance to treatment and help abate complications associated with the disease [22, 23].…”