Awareness of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy in women of reproductive age-community based study in a remote, rural region

Background: Women with preexisting hypertension or those who get hypertensive disorders during pregnancy (HDsP) are known to have higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcome, so their awareness is essential. Objective: Study was carried out to know about awareness of HDsP in rural women of reproductive age. Material & methods: Community based observational, cross sectional study was conducted in 140 villages in a remote, forestry, hilly region. Randomly included 2500 women of ≥20 to ≤45 years were interviewed over one year. Overall 58.6% had little bit awareness of some aspects of HDsP, complications, however of these 1465 women, only 463were aware that women who had high blood pressure during pregnancy could have headache, giddiness, 320 were aware that high BP was a disorder which occurred, during pregnancy, 577 said for diagnosis of HDsP, blood, urine examination were needed, remaining 28 women who said they were aware, actually did not seem to be aware of anything. There was no difference with age, parity, but level of education had significant impact on numbers with awareness. Of 1465 women 1334, were aware about dangers, 630 convulsions with hypertension, 278 said that HDsP were associated with pain in abdomen, vaginal bleeding, and 208 said possibility of respiratory arrest. Overall 66 didn’t know anything, other than it was a disorder. Out of 1465 women, 1166 were aware that HDsP could result in serious complications in baby. There was no difference with age, parity, but literacy did affect significantly. Of 1465 women with awareness, only890 said that HDsP were preventable, 294 through good antenatal care, 241 by proper control of BP during pregnancy, 197 with rest, plenty of fluid, low salt, other measures, remaining 158 did not say anything about prevention. Various variables did affect numbers, more elders, literate were aware. Conclusion: Many women did not know about HDsP. Those who knew also many did not know about associated complications, impact on baby, prevention possibilities. If women did not know about disease they cannot be expected to know about timely care, future possibilities, need of follow up and action needed in future life. Health systems need to respond