Awareness, Incidence, And Determinants Of Preeclampsia Among Antenatal Women In Rural Kisoro District, Uganda: A Prospective Cohort Study

Preeclampsia remains a significant contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low-resource settings. This study assessed the awareness, incidence, and determinants of preeclampsia among pregnant women in rural Kisoro District, Uganda. A prospective cohort study design was employed. Data were collected from a cluster sample of 132 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at three public owned primary health facilities in Kisoro. The data were analysed using descriptive and relative risk (RR) inferential statistics at 5% significance level and 95% confidence interval (CI). The study revealed inadequate awareness of preeclampsia (3.0%). The incidence rate of preeclampsia was observed to be 31.1%. Family history of hypertension increased the risk of having preeclampsia by 70% (RR: 1.7 (95% CI: 1.0-2.8); p = 0.03). In conclusion, the awareness of preeclampsia is inadequate, the burden is palpable, and the condition is determined by a family history of hypertension among pregnant women. Strict surveillance on pregnant women with family history of hypertension and more community enlightenment led by midwives are recommended.