Pregnancy-induced hypertension awareness, knowledge and its risk factors: A cross-sectional study

Background and Objective: Pregnancy -induced hypertension (PIH) has severe implications for maternal morbidity and mortality; thus, boosting pregnant women's awareness and knowledge of this medical condition is crucial for improving the mother's and foetus's health. This study assessed the awareness and knowledge of PIH and its risk factors among pregnant women in Mdantsane, South Africa. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 249 conveniently selected and consenting pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Mdantsane, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. A self -designed questionnaire was utilised to collect data. Descriptive statistics, chi-square (chi 2) test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed. The significance level was 0.05. Results: Over 50% of the women were knowledgeable about PIH and associated risk factors ((chi 2=4.92; p = 0.04). The prevalence of PIH was 51.8%, and married women were more aware of the PIH risk factors (71.1%). Women with previous pregnancies were more likely to be aware of PIH (OR = 17.1, 95%; CI = 9.09 to 32.15) compared to first time mothers. Women in age group 36-45 were 2.5 times more likely to be aware of PIH (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.19-3.24) compared to women aged <35 years. Likewise, women aged 36-45 years were two times more likely to be knowledgeable about risk factors for PIH (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.14-2.81) compared to women aged <35 years. Married women were more likely to be aware of PIH risk factors (OR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.35-5.47) than unmarried women. Moreover, pregnancy increases the likelihood (OR=12.8, 95% CI: 6.97-23.58) of being aware of PIH risk factors. There was a significant difference between the mean ages of women who knew about PIH risk factors and those who do not (t=3.49, Mean difference = 3.49, p=0.0001, 95% CI (2.54; 4.44)). Conclusion: The prevalence of PIH was high. Age, history of PIH, previous pregnancy, and marital status were predictors of PIH knowledge/awareness and risk factors for PIH. Context -specific health education programmes during prenatal visits are crucial to improving pregnant women's knowledge of PIH.