Abstract:

Background: Pregnancy-hypertension (PIH) is defined as new hypertension that appears at 20 weeks or more gestational age or without proteinuria (9, 11). Hypertension during pregnancy is defined as a sustained systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg (12). Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy affect about 10% of all pregnant women around the world (15, 16). Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are an important cause of severe acute morbidity, long-term disability and death among mothers and babies (15, 17).

Objective: This study describes awareness on risk factors and complications of pregnancy included hypertension among women attend ANC at Makongoro.

Methodology: A cross sectional study design using a quantitative approach was employed. The study was conducted at Makongoro health center in Nyamagana, Mwanza region as is one of the health care center owned by the government where large number of pregnant women in Ilemela do attend for ANC. A sample size of 113 participants was recruited for the study. A semi structured questionnaire consisting of open ended and closed ended questions was used to collect information about awareness on risk factors and complications of PIH among pregnant women attending at ANC Makongoro health center. The data entered and analyzed using software statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21 where by chi square test was used to determine the association first pregnancy and independent variables.

Results: From the study, 10.6% had mild awareness in which were aware of 1-2 of the complications, 18.6% had moderate awareness in which were aware of 3-4 of the complications, 2.7% were aware in which were aware of 5-8 of the complications and 68.1% were not aware on complications of pregnancy induced hypertension. More over from the study, 12.4% had mild awareness in which were aware of 1-3 of the risk factors, 17.7% had moderate awareness in which were aware of 4-6 of the factors, 1.8% were aware in which were aware of 7-10 of the factors and 68.1% were not aware on risk factors of pregnancy induced hypertension.

Conclusion: In this study, a high proportion of pregnant women had poor awareness on risk factors and complications among pregnant women attending antenatal care visit at Makongoro clinic. There was a significant difference in awareness of pregnancy induced hypertension among primigravida and women who are not. Maternal status, maternal occupation and wealth status were not the factors associated with awareness of pregnancy-induced hypertension among pregnant women in this study.

Recommendations: Health care providers should strengthen the awareness of pregnant women about pregnancy-induced hypertension in antenatal care clinics and at the community level with a special focus of awareness to primigravida women.