Prevalence, predictors, and management of gestational hypertension in the Hohoe Municipality of Ghana: a health facility-based cross-sectional study

Background: Gestational hypertension remains a public health concern, in low-and middle-income countries.In Ghana, pregnant women with hypertension face difficulties accessing affordable and convenient treatment.We examined the prevalence and predictors of gestational hypertension among women attending antenatal care (ANC) and the management of the condition by health care providers at a health facility in Hohoe.Methods: This was a concurrent mixed-method cross-sectional study among 265 pregnant women attending ANC and 5 health professionals in a public health facility in Hohoe, Ghana.We analysed the data using STATA version 17, with descriptive statistics and logistic regression while Qualitative data was analyzed thematically using ATLAS.ti.Results: Prevalence of gestational hypertension was 3.8%.Women with 3 or more children were 7 times more likely to be hypertensive compared to those with no pregnancy history (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 7.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-50.28).For every unit increase in the participant's BMI, the odds of becoming hypertensive increases by 18% (aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.05-1.32).General assessments, education, and support in diet planning were the main gestational hypertension management practices of health professionals.The health professional experienced challenges like language barrier and shortage of essential medicines. Conclusion:Our study highlighted the importance of dietary and lifestyle modifications in managing gestational hypertension, the role of healthcare professionals in monitoring and providing timely interventions to prevent adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, Improved knowledge and management practices among healthcare professionals, targeted public health interventions, are essential for reducing the burden of gestational hypertension and accelerating progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 and 3.1, aiming to reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable disease through