Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Perinatal Women Towards Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy (HDP) and Its Implication for the Implementation of Maternal Mental Health Services (MMHS): a Quantitative Descriptive Study.

Abstract

Abstract Background: Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy (HDP) refer to a spectrum of conditions of vascular origin and systemic manifestations caused by a mixture of genetic and acquired factors, which occur during pregnancy [1] and represent the most common medical complications of pregnancy with a reported incidence of 5–10% [5]. HDP greatly impacts birth outcome and complicates almost a tenth of all pregnancies globally [32]. This poses a great deal of psychological distress to the mother and the developing foetus. The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of perinatal women regarding hypertensive disorders that occur during pregnancy and its implication for the implementation of maternal mental health services. Methods A self-structured questionnaire was used as a guide to solicit information from the participants at a single point in time, with focus on three main thematic areas that include knowledge of participants on hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, attitudes, and practices of perinatal women towards hypertensive disorders in pregnancy as well as the access to maternal mental health services during the perinatal period. Convenience sampling technique was employed to select participants. A total of 267 subjects participated in the study. All pregnant women from Gravida 2 Para 1 and above as well as those who experienced hypertensive disorders such as PIH in their previous pregnancies and are presently attending ANC were included in the study whiles first time perinatal women without a history of hypertension were excluded. The data collected was analyzed with Microsoft Excel and SPSS (Version 24) software. Basic descriptive quantitative analysis was used based on frequency tables, pie chart and graphical illustration to interpret the data. Results The findings revealed that most of the study participants (52.2%) had inadequate knowledge of Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy regarding the causes, risk factors and clinical manifestations of HDP. Despite their insufficient knowledge about the range of complications that may emanate from HDP, all the study participants identified stroke (cardiovascular accident) as a common effect of HDP whiles about 87.6% of the participants labelled seizures as the most common demonstrable consequence. This finding also resonates with some earlier reports [2, 7, 11] on the subject matter. It is imperative to note that the study did not prioritize identifying respondents with a history of any complications resulting from HDP. Interestingly, the study revealed that mental health screening did not form part the routine care at the ANC. Conclusion Perinatal women attending antenatal services have inadequate knowledge about hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP). Despite this, most respondents demonstrated a favourable understanding of the management of HDP as well as the behaviours and practices that could minimize the development of HDP. However, there could be serious repercussions if HDP is not detected on time or is poorly managed. Midwives and other stakeholders must prioritize and intensify client teaching and education and encourage pregnant women to report to the hospital for identification and prompt treatment to reduce the negative outcomes of HDP. Additionally, mental health services should be incorporated into routine antenatal care services to address the many psychological challenges that may be confronting perinatal women as this may impact birth and treatment outcomes in diverse ways.