Prevalence and risk factors for preeclampsia/eclampsia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital, Tanzania

Mkama, Sylivester Wanyaseleli (2025) Prevalence and risk factors for preeclampsia/eclampsia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital, Tanzania. Open Access Research Journal of Science and Technology, 13 (2). pp. 129-137. ISSN 2782-9960

Background: Preeclampsia/ eclampsia is a pregnancy specific hypertensive disorder and is one of the leading causes of direct maternal and infant morbidity and mortality in Tanzania and worldwide. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of preeclampsia / eclampsia among women attending antenatal clinic at Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital, Tanzania. Materials and Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from January 01 to December 31, 2023. A total of 160 preeclampsia /eclampsia pregnancy women were enrolled in this study. Interviews were conducted with 160 sampled preeclampsia /eclampsia pregnancy women. Results: The analysis focused on 160 preeclampsia /eclampsia pregnant women. Of these, 62.5% preeclampsia / eclampsia pregnant women aged 21-29 years. 87.5% were living in rural area. Education level, not educated 78.1%; Marital status 87.5% were married. Occupation 82.5% were peasants. Gravidity 57.5% were 2, family history of hypertension 90.6% were no, history of preeclampsia 93.1% were no, history of abortion 87.5% were no, inter pregnancy interval 84.4% were equal or less than 5 years, number of fetuses 95.0% was one. Multigravida 62.5%, family history of twin pregnancy 69.4% no, previous history preeclampsia 80.6 % no, history of still birth or congenital anomaly 83.1% no, history of abortion 76.2 % no. Desire of the current pregnancy 93.1 % were planned, new partner in the past 6 months 87.5% no, number of visits made 62.5 % were less than 3. Conclusion: Risk factors identified in this study can be used to identify women at risk of preeclampsia during antenatal clinic visit to minimize the complications of preeclampsia in both the mother and the fetus.