Knowledge of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Associated Factors Among Antenatal-Care Attendees in Mbarara City, Southwestern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study.
7 affiliations
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
- 2Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
- 3Division of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapeutics, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- 4Department of Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
- 5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda.
- 6Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kawempe National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda.
- 7Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
Abstract
Background
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are important contributors to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Women's knowledge of warning signs, risk factors, diagnosis, and prevention may support earlier care-seeking and timely diagnosis, yet data from primary-level antenatal-care settings in Uganda remain limited. We assessed knowledge of HDP and associated factors among antenatal-care attendees in Mbarara City, southwestern Uganda.Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending their third or later antenatal-care visit at six public health facilities in Mbarara City between January and March 2025. Participants were recruited by consecutive sampling. Knowledge was assessed using 41 scored knowledge items covering awareness, disease manifestations, risk factors, diagnosis, management, prevention, complications, and blood-pressure monitoring. Scores were expressed as percentages of correct responses; adequate knowledge was defined as ≥60%. Multivariable modified Poisson regression was used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios.Results
Among 426 antenatal-care attendees, 271 had adequate knowledge, giving a prevalence of 63.6% (95% CI: 58.8-68.2). Knowledge was highest for timing or frequency of blood-pressure checks (86.2%) and complications (76.1%), but lower for diagnosis (51.4%), timing of occurrence (53.3%), treatment and management (53.4%), and risk factors (56.8%). Adequate knowledge was more prevalent among women with secondary education (aPR=1.34; 95% CI: 1.10-1.64) or tertiary education (aPR=1.36; 95% CI: 1.04-1.78), compared with primary education or less; women with five or more pregnancies compared with primigravidas (aPR=1.77; 95% CI: 1.27-2.48); and women with family history of preeclampsia compared with those without (aPR=1.26; 95% CI: 1.06-1.50).Conclusions
Approximately two-thirds of antenatal-care attendees had adequate knowledge of HDP, but important gaps remained in diagnosis, timing of occurrence, treatment and management, and risk-factor recognition. Health education during antenatal care should prioritize practical messages for women with lower educational attainment, primigravidas or limited pregnancy experience, and women without a family history of preeclampsia.
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BibTeX
@article{lugobe2026knowledge,
title = {{Knowledge of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Associated Factors Among Antenatal-Care Attendees in Mbarara City, Southwestern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study.}},
author = {Henry Mark Lugobe and Richard Migisha and Ian B Wilkinson and Francis Bajunirwe and David Collins Agaba and Leevan Tibaijuka and Alan Babweteera and Simon Tomusange and Praise Tindiweegi and Carmel M McEniery and Josephine Nambi Najjuma},
journal = {International journal of women's health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.2147/ijwh.s647416},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928912},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Knowledge of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Associated Factors Among Antenatal-Care Attendees in Mbarara City, Southwestern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study.
AU - Henry Mark Lugobe
AU - Richard Migisha
AU - Ian B Wilkinson
AU - Francis Bajunirwe
AU - David Collins Agaba
AU - Leevan Tibaijuka
AU - Alan Babweteera
AU - Simon Tomusange
AU - Praise Tindiweegi
AU - Carmel M McEniery
AU - Josephine Nambi Najjuma
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - International journal of women's health
DO - 10.2147/ijwh.s647416
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928912
AB - Background Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are important contributors to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Women's knowledge of warning signs, risk factors, diagnosis, and prevention may support earlier care-seeking and timely diagnosis, yet data from primary-level antenatal-care settings in Uganda remain limited. We assessed knowledge of HDP and associated factors among antenatal-care attendees in Mbarara City, southwestern Uganda.Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending their third or later antenatal-care visit at six public health facilities in Mbarara City between January and March 2025. Participants were recruited by consecutive sampling. Knowledge was assessed using 41 scored knowledge items covering awareness, disease manifestations, risk factors, diagnosis, management, prevention, complications, and blood-pressure monitoring. Scores were expressed as percentages of correct responses; adequate knowledge was defined as ≥60%. Multivariable modified Poisson regression was used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios.Results Among 426 antenatal-care attendees, 271 had adequate knowledge, giving a prevalence of 63.6% (95% CI: 58.8-68.2). Knowledge was highest for timing or frequency of blood-pressure checks (86.2%) and complications (76.1%), but lower for diagnosis (51.4%), timing of occurrence (53.3%), treatment and management (53.4%), and risk factors (56.8%). Adequate knowledge was more prevalent among women with secondary education (aPR=1.34; 95% CI: 1.10-1.64) or tertiary education (aPR=1.36; 95% CI: 1.04-1.78), compared with primary education or less; women with five or more pregnancies compared with primigravidas (aPR=1.77; 95% CI: 1.27-2.48); and women with family history of preeclampsia compared with those without (aPR=1.26; 95% CI: 1.06-1.50).Conclusions Approximately two-thirds of antenatal-care attendees had adequate knowledge of HDP, but important gaps remained in diagnosis, timing of occurrence, treatment and management, and risk-factor recognition. Health education during antenatal care should prioritize practical messages for women with lower educational attainment, primigravidas or limited pregnancy experience, and women without a family history of preeclampsia.
SN - 1179-1411
ER -