KNOWLEDGE OF PRE-ECLAMPSIA AND ITS PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ADEOYO MATERNITY HOSPITAL, YEMETU, IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-related hypertensive disorder occurring usually after 20 weeks of gestation. If left untreated, it progresses to eclampsia. However, most studies on maternal morbidity and mortality have not adequately focused on pregnant women's knowledge and preventive strategics against pre-eclampsia. This study was therefore designed to investigate knowledge of pre-eclampsia and its preventive strategies among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Yemetu, lbadan, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted and a systematic random sampling technique was used to select 400 consenting respondents from the antenatal clinic records of the hospital. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on respondents' socio-demographic characteristics. Knowledge of Pre-eclampsia (KP), Preventive Strategies against Pre-eclampsia (PSP) such as place of care, resting techniques and social habits using 19-point and 30-point KP and PSP scales respectively. Knowledge scores ≤ 6, >6-12, and >12 were categorised as poor, fair and good, respectively. Preventive strategies scores ≤ l 5, >15 were categorised as poor and good respectively. Blood pressure measurements taken with readings greater than 140/90 mmHg were considered to be elevated. Four Focus Group Discussion (FGD) sessions were conducted using FGD guide. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test at p=0.05, while qualitative data were analysed using thematic approach. Age of respondents was 28.6±5.2 years and 92.0% were married. Less than half of the respondents (42.0%) had heard about pre-eclampsia. Antenatal clinic (37.1%) topped the list of sources of information on pre-eclampsia while church was the least (12.9%). Only 35.5% knew the correct definition of the health condition while 18.8% knew that the cause or pre-eclampsia is unknown. Respondents` knowledge score was 11.1±4.0. Respondents with poor, fair and good knowledge relating to pre-eclampsia were 14.0%, 41.2% and 44.1%. respectively. Incidence of elevated blood pressure was 4.5%. Twenty-one percent mentioned that they experienced swelling of the feet, ankle, hand and face, while 8.5% had tested positive to protein in the urine during pregnancy. Few (0.8%) had experienced pre-eclampsia in their earlier pregnancy and had their deliveries through caesarean section. Another 5.9% had a family history of the health condition. Respondents' preventive strategies score was 24.0±3.9. Many of the respondents had good preventive strategics (95.3%) while 4.7% had poor preventive strategics respectively. The hospital (92.4%) topped the list of places where respondents sought care whenever they experienced symptoms suggestive of pre-eclampsia, while 6.5% reported that they rested at home. Respondents' age was significantly associated with knowledge of pre-eclampsia. Respondents were knowledgeable of preventive strategies against pre-eclampsia, though they attributed causes of pre-eclampsia to stress and anxiety regarding financial issues and fear of delivery. There are gaps in awareness and level knowledge of pre-eclampsia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Yemetu. Health education interventions such as health talks focusing on creating awareness, improving knowledge of pre-eclampsia and uptake of preventive practices are hereby advocated.