Prevalence of hypertensive disorders in pregnant Nigerians and their related factors

Abstract

Pregnancies complicate with hypertensive disorders are regarded as high risk and contribute to increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Objective: To determine the prevalence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) and their related factors in defined areas of South West Nigeria. Methods: The study is a prospective cohort study conducted in Antenatal Clinics of the departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti, University College Hospital Ibadan and Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria from June 2011 to October 2012. The data regarding demographic details, gestational age, obstetrics history, diagnosis, and blood pressure readings were obtained from each participant through a semi pretest questionnaire. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS version 22 statistical package. Result: A total of 521 pregnant women enrolled for the study and 34(7.2%) were hypertensive among whom 55.9 % were diagnose d a s prceclampsia-cclampsia (19), 35.3% as gestational hypertension (12), 5.9% as chronic hypertension (1) and 2.9% as preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension. HDP was more prevalent among women aged >31 years (64.7%), who had previous history of HDP (23.5%), the third trimester (70.6%) of pregnancy and in nulliparous women (67.6%). Conclusion: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among the most common medical complications worsening the outcome of pregnancy. Regular monitoring of the risk factors may help to mitigate the progression of the disorders.