Knowledge of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at a tertiary hospital in Ghana

Abstract

Objectives: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy contribute significantly to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality globally. Health-seeking behaviour is influenced by adequate knowledge of the condition. However, current data on pregnant women’s knowledge of the condition and health-seeking behaviour are relatively scant in Ghana and has not been previously studied in the Central Region where hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was the leading cause of maternal mortality from 2016 to 2018. The study sought to generate data to fill this knowledge gap. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 404 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital from 1 April to 30 September 2020. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, including age, level of education and parity, and knowledge of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including its risk factors, clinical presentations and complications, were collected using structured questionnaires. The outcome variable, knowledge of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, was a composite variable categorized as adequate and inadequate knowledge. Descriptive statistics were generated and association between independent and outcome variables were explored using chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests and logistic regression methods. Results: Sixty-two participants (15.4%) showed adequate knowledge of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. About 62% (251/404) of respondents had heard about hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Of those who had heard of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, 29.4% (72/245) correctly indicated the condition was underlined by hypertension in pregnancy ⩾ 20 weeks gestation. Women with tertiary education were six times more likely to have adequate hypertensive disorders of pregnancy knowledge than those with basic education. Women with parity 1–4 were 52% less likely to have adequate knowledge compared to nulliparous women. Conclusion: The remarkably low proportion of pregnant women with adequate knowledge of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in the study is worrisome because of its potential adverse implication for the health of mothers and their babies. Re-packaging the antenatal health education programme and its delivery is needed for greater impact as far as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy morbidity/mortality is concerned.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension awareness, knowledge and its risk factors: A cross-sectional study

“…Previous research has found comparable results. [24][25][26] Previous studies undertaken in South Africa 22 and elsewhere [27][28][29] have found that patients had inadequate understanding regarding PIH, complications, and risk factors. Notably, some of these studies attributed the lack of awareness and knowledge about PIH to misconceptions and myths, such as women believing that PIH is a spiritual condition that requires spiritual treatment 27,30,31 or a sign that a woman is likely to birth a baby boy.…”

Prevalence, Awareness, and Control of Hypertensive Disorders amongst Pregnant Women Seeking Healthcare in Ghana

“…Knowledge of an individual on a particular health condition influences the health seeking behaviour of individual [ 22 ]. Thus, knowledge on HDPs has been assessed as efforts at preventing HDP burden.…”

The burden and predictors of late antenatal booking in a rural setting in Ghana

“…The adoption of the 70% cut‐off was based on the preference of the investigators for pregnant women to have rationally adequate knowledge of ANC services considering its significance on maternal and child health. Such relatively arbitrary cut‐off scores have been used to categorize knowledge in previous studies (Afaya et al, 2020; Agbeno et al, 2022; Oppong Asante, 2013; Wolde et al, 2019).…”