Assessment of Awareness Regarding Gestational Hypertension Among Pregnant Women in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Quantitative Descriptive Study

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH) encompasses hypertensive disorders triggered directly by gestation. As a frequent obstetric complication, PIH contributes substantially to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Materials and Methods: A quantitative, descriptive research design was employed. Using a non-probability convenience sampling technique, 100 pregnant women attending the antenatal Outpatient Department (OPD) of Lisie Hospital were recruited. Data collection utilized an expert-validated, structured knowledge questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were applied to analyze the data.

Results: Assessment of PIH awareness among the 100 participants showed that 3% exhibited excellent knowledge, 23% demonstrated very good knowledge, 34% had good knowledge, 27% had average knowledge, and 13% possessed poor knowledge. None of the respondents fell into the very poor knowledge category.

Discussion: A significant proportion of participants displayed adequate baseline awareness regarding PIH, aligning with outcomes reported in comparable studies. However, notable knowledge deficits persist regarding specific risk factors and critical warning symptoms, highlighting the need for targeted maternal health education. Brief clinical and community-based educational efforts by healthcare providers could significantly enhance early detection and mitigate maternal-fetal risks.