The prevalence and risk factors associated with hypertension among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Adjumani general hospital, Adjumani district

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of hypertension among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Adjumani General Hospital in Adjumani District, West Nile Sub-region. Data was collected from 123 pregnant women visiting AGH for antenatal care. The findings revealed that the prevalence of hypertension was reported at 26% among pregnant women visiting AGH. The study findings further revealed that 42% of the pregnant women had ever been diagnosed with hypertension, 47% reported that their mothers had ever been diagnosed with hypertension, 65% had had 1-3 pregnancies, 51% of the pregnant women reported to have between 1-3 children, 43% visiting AGH at the time of the study were 7-9 months, 45% had just once visited the antenatal clinic, 38% had 3-4 children, 45% of the women had ever lost pregnancy and pregnant women had had a natural birth/vaginal 39%. The risk factors associated with hypertension were; whether someone ever smoked or currently smoking (P=0.000), length of smoking (P=0.000), currently drinking alcohol (P=0.034), eating first foods (P=0.041), how often someone eats fast foods (P=0.002), types of exercise (P=0.001) and times of exercise (P=0.000). Owing to the findings, it can be concluded that the prevalence of hypertension among pregnant women is not alarming and both social and economic factors are associated with the risk of hypertension.