Journal of World Health Research
Prevalence of pre-eclampsia among pregnant women attending Antenatal care at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital. A cross-sectional study
By Joan Kirabo, Hasifa Nansereko, Frank Ssemuwemba and 2 others.
Abstract
Background
This study focused on determining the prevalence of pre-eclampsia among pregnant women at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Antenatal Care Unit of Hoima Regional Referral Hospital among 41 pregnant women aged 15-49 years, selected by convenience sampling. Data were collected using an administered structured questionnaire and analyzed using Microsoft Excel, with results presented as frequencies, percentages, tables, and charts.
Findings
The prevalence of pre-eclampsia is 14.6% (6 out of 41 participants). Most of the participants, 18 out of 41(43.9%), were in the 25-34-year age bracket; 36.6% were between 15-24 years. Women aged 35-44 years accounted for 6 participants (14.6%); 2 participants (4.9%) were in the 45-49 years age category, while 32 out of 41(78.0%) were married, and 9(22.0%) were either single or divorced. Grossly, 12 participants (29.3%) reported a health worker diagnosis of elevated blood pressure, 10(24.4%) had confirmed proteinuria, and 7(17.1%) had been hospitalized due to hypertension in the current pregnancy. Findings thus suggest that pre-eclampsia constitutes a significant burden among ANC attendees at this facility.