Perceived impacts of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia on health of pregnant mothers being attended to at a general hospital in Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

The study focused on the Perceived impacts of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia on health of pregnant women attending Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti, ekiti state. It assessed the knowledge of pregnant mothers on the impact of Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia on pregnancy, it also identified the factors responsible for prevalence of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia among pregnant mothers. Furthermore, it assesses the level of perception of pregnant mothers on pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. The relationship between level of education and knowledge of pre-eclampsia, and eclampsia as well as the relationship between level of education and perceived effect of eclampsia were assessed. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed using a semi structured questionnaire to gather information from 100 women with at least one child. An accidental sampling procedure was employed, and data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaire. Analysis of data was done using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The results of the study revealed that about 47% of the respondents are of age 20 to 30 years while 46% are of age 31 to 40years and 7% are of age 41years and above. Also, 85% of the respondents were married while 15% were single. 80% of the respondents had tertiary education, 16% had secondary while 4% had primary education. All of the respondents were Christians. 52% of them were Primip, 11% had two children, 16% had 3chilldren while 8% had 4 and 13% had 5 children. 65% of the respondents had good knowledge of Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia, while 35% had poor knowledge. 59% of the respondents submitted that Obesity is a factor influencing the prevalence of Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. More than 50% of the respondents chose each of Chronic hypertension, previous history of pre-eclampsia as influencing factor. However, 65% of the respondents disagreed that Physical exercise during pregnancy is a factor. Also, 64% submitted they do not know if Having sex during pregnancy can be a factor influencing the prevalence of Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. 31% of the respondents had good perception of effect of Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia on mothers, while 69% had poor perception. 64% of the respondents had good perception of effect of Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia on babies, while 36% had poor perception. there is no significant relationship between level of education and knowledge of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia as chi square is greater than 0.05. There is no significant relationship between level of education and perception of pregnant mothers on effect of Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia on mothers as chi square is greater than 0.05. there is no significant relationship between level of education and perception of pregnant mothers on effect of Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia on babies as chi square is greater than 0.05.