Abstract:

Background; Preeclampsia/eclampsia contributes a lot in maternal mortality and morbidity as well as child mortalities and disabilities. Several studies worldwide show that lack of knowledge, poor attitude and perception among women are contributing factors for complication of preeclampsia/eclampsia (1–3).In Zanzibar prevalence of pre eclampsia is high (26.3%) and still there is limited information about its knowledge, attitude and prevention among pregnant women therefore this study was designated to investigate knowledge, attitude and prevention of preeclampsia/eclampsia among pregnant women attending clinic at Abdullah Mzee Referral Hospital, Pemba-Zanzibar.

Methodology; A cross sectional study was conducted among a minimum number of 136 pregnant women attending ANC at Abdallah Mzee referral hospital, Pemba-Zanzibar. . Questionnaire was used to obtain data and obtained data was analyzed by computer using SPSS program.

Results; A total of 150 participants were included in the study. Majority report to have heard about the diseases but only 37.3% have heard from ANC.3% of all participants have good level of knowledge and less than quarter know prevention of pre-eclampsia/ eclampsia, 85% have positive attitude among them 81.3% report they will go to the hospital when they have symptoms. Headache and high blood pressure were the best known symptoms. Knowledge was strongly associated with level of education and occupation.

Conclusion; Majority of the participants have inadequate knowledge on causes, symptoms, complication and prevention of pre-eclampsia/ eclampsia although they have positive attitude but health education intervention program regarding this disease targeted and specific for pregnant women and those in child bearing age is needed in all health facilities that provide ANC services in Zanzibar and Tanzania at all.