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Peer-reviewedCC BYPLOS One

Pregnant women’s health beliefs about pre-eclampsia in a resource-limited setting: A qualitative study

  • Isabella Garti1,2
  • Awube Menlah2
  • Emuejevoke Fuafugo3
  • Evans Osei Appiah4
  • Nadyen Jordan Shikpup5
  • Ophelia Serwaa Tonto6
  • Betty Osei Ntiamoah7
7 affiliations
  1. 1Molly Wardaguga Research Institute, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
  2. 2School of Nursing and Midwifery, Valley View University, Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana.
  3. 3National Orthopedic Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.
  4. 4School of Nursing, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America.
  5. 5School of Nursing, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau, Nigeria.
  6. 6Zenu Polyclinic, Ghana Health Service, Kpone Katamanso, Ghana.
  7. 7Maternity Unit, Ashanti Regional Hospital, Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana.
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Abstract

Introduction: Pre-eclampsia, a high-risk pregnancy complication, poses significant threats to maternal and fetal health. Globally, little is known about how women navigate a pre-eclampsia diagnosis or their perceptions of the pathology, unpredictable course, and treatment. Guided by the Health Belief model, this study explores pregnant women’s beliefs about pre-eclampsia in Ghana’s most populous region. Materials and methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted at a district hospital in the Ashanti Region of Ghana to explore pregnant women’s narratives of their health beliefs and perceptions regarding pre-eclampsia. Sixteen participants were purposively selected, and one-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted in October 2021. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Categories were developed inductively from participants’ accounts and subsequently interpreted in relation to the constructs of the Health Belief Model. Results: Pregnant women’s risk perceptions of pre-eclampsia varied, with some not perceiving personal risk, while a few felt vulnerable based on community experiences and observations of other women. Pre-eclampsia was widely regarded as a serious condition, with many expressing fears of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Participants recognized the benefits of antenatal care and lifestyle modifications in reducing risk and empowering care-seeking, while previous experiences with pre-eclampsia and guidance from health providers served as key cues to action. However, several barriers to care were identified, including financial constraints, mistrust of the health system, and inadequate communication from health providers. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for context-specific approaches to address health beliefs related to pre-eclampsia. Strengthening maternal health literacy, effective risk communication, and respectful care can improve early recognition, care-seeking, and outcomes for pre-eclampsia.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{garti2026pregnant,
  title = {{Pregnant women’s health beliefs about pre-eclampsia in a resource-limited setting: A qualitative study}},
  author = {Isabella Garti and Awube Menlah and Emuejevoke Fuafugo and Evans Osei Appiah and Nadyen Jordan Shikpup and Ophelia Serwaa Tonto and Betty Osei Ntiamoah},
  journal = {PLOS One},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0361626},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0361626},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Pregnant women’s health beliefs about pre-eclampsia in a resource-limited setting: A qualitative study
AU  - Isabella Garti
AU  - Awube Menlah
AU  - Emuejevoke Fuafugo
AU  - Evans Osei Appiah
AU  - Nadyen Jordan Shikpup
AU  - Ophelia Serwaa Tonto
AU  - Betty Osei Ntiamoah
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/30
JO  - PLOS One
DO  - 10.1371/journal.pone.0361626
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0361626
AB  - Introduction: Pre-eclampsia, a high-risk pregnancy complication, poses significant threats to maternal and fetal health. Globally, little is known about how women navigate a pre-eclampsia diagnosis or their perceptions of the pathology, unpredictable course, and treatment. Guided by the Health Belief model, this study explores pregnant women’s beliefs about pre-eclampsia in Ghana’s most populous region. Materials and methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted at a district hospital in the Ashanti Region of Ghana to explore pregnant women’s narratives of their health beliefs and perceptions regarding pre-eclampsia. Sixteen participants were purposively selected, and one-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted in October 2021. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Categories were developed inductively from participants’ accounts and subsequently interpreted in relation to the constructs of the Health Belief Model. Results: Pregnant women’s risk perceptions of pre-eclampsia varied, with some not perceiving personal risk, while a few felt vulnerable based on community experiences and observations of other women. Pre-eclampsia was widely regarded as a serious condition, with many expressing fears of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Participants recognized the benefits of antenatal care and lifestyle modifications in reducing risk and empowering care-seeking, while previous experiences with pre-eclampsia and guidance from health providers served as key cues to action. However, several barriers to care were identified, including financial constraints, mistrust of the health system, and inadequate communication from health providers. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for context-specific approaches to address health beliefs related to pre-eclampsia. Strengthening maternal health literacy, effective risk communication, and respectful care can improve early recognition, care-seeking, and outcomes for pre-eclampsia.
SN  - 1932-6203
ER  -