Prevalence of Hypertensive disorders and associated factors among pregnant women attending Antenatal care Clinic at St. Peter’s Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2022: Cross sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy is a term used to describe pregnant women who are above 20 weeks of pregnancy having elevated blood pressure (≥140/90). Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy can also cause different maternal and fetal complications. According to WHO systemic analysis hypertensive disorders of pregnancy account for about 14% of maternal deaths globally. Preeclampsia is estimated to complicate 2-8% of pregnancies globally. Objective: To assess the prevalence hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and its associated factors among women attending antenatal clinic follow up at St. Peter’s Specialized Hospital. Methods: Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 15, 2022 to August 15, 2022 at St. Peter’s Specialized Hospital among selected pregnant women on follow up at the ANC clinic. The total sample was calculated to be 205. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants from a total of 425 mothers that visited the ANC unit during the study period. Data collection process was conducted using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire through face-to-face interview. The data collectors were three trained midwife nurses who were supervised by experienced professional and the principal investigator. The filled questionnaires were checked for completeness daily. Double data entry and data cleaning were done before analysis. The data was entered in to EPI- INFO and was exported to and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics such as frequency mean, percentage and analytic statistics such as odds ratio, simple and multivariable binary logistic regression models were employed to summarize the results. P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant and findings were presented using texts, tables and graphs. Results: Among the 205 pregnant mothers who participated in the study 27 (13.2) of them had Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Of which 13(6.34%) of them had gestational hypertension, and the remaining 6.82% of Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy had preeclampsia and preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension each. Family history of hypertension ([AOR=2.838; 95% CI (1.114-7.288]) was found to be factor associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy among the study participants. Conclusion: This study identified that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are more prevalent in the study area as compared to other studies. Additionally, family history of hypertension was observed as predictor of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Thus, early screening, diagnosis and providing better antenatal care for those mothers with family history of hypertension during their ANC follow up is mandatory to decrease the impact of this condition on pregnant mothers. Key Words: Hypertensive disorders of Pregnancy, Gestational hypertension, Pregnancy, Antenatal care, Preeclampsia, St. Peter’s specialized Hospital