ASSESS KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF NURSES REGARDING PRE-ECLAMPSIA

Background: The maternal and child mortality and morbidity is a common health issue specially in economically developing countries due to pre-eclampsia. 40% of gestational mothers face delivery complications during their labour and preconception. Globally, 2-10% antenatal women are afflicted by preeclampsia. By (WHO) the prevalence rate of preeclampsia is seven time high in underdeveloped countries in comparison of developed countries

Objectives: (1) To assess the knowledge of nurses regarding pre-eclampsia. So that provision of awareness will be given for the prevention of pre-eclampsia.

(2) Assess perception related to preeclampsia among nurses.

Material and Method: In this descriptive cross-sectional study 103 nurses were selected with the varying years of experience to evaluate knowledge and perception by using a pre-validated self-administered questionnaire containing 19 preeclampsia related questions. Convenient sampling method was used for data assortment.

Results: Nurses in this research had average level of knowledge regarding preeclampsia knowledge of the participants were observed through different options with the frequency and percentage 55.3% of the participants were aware about the true cause of preeclampsia and 48.5% know about the nutrients required during pregnancy majority of the participants have poor perception only 17.5% participants strongly disagree at young women are not vulnerable to preeclampsia.

Conclusion: Nurses have insufficient knowledge about preeclampsia causes, diagnosis and treatment. There is need to organize the training programme for the nurses to enhance the knowledge and perception regarding preeclampsia. There is also need to educate nurses about the causes, effects and prevention of pre-eclampsia by means of workshops and seminars.

Key word: Preeclampsia, knowledge, perception, Nurses