Prevalence and Determinants of Hypertension in Pregnancy (Hip) in Benue South Senatorial Zone

Background: Hypertension in pregnancy (HIP) represent a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality globally, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. There is paucity of reported study on prevalence and determinants of HIP in Benue South. Aim: To determine the prevalence and the determinants of HIP in Benue South, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 275 consenting pregnant women with HIP attending the antenatal clinics in General hospitals in 4 selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Benue South. Ethical clearance was obtained from the ethical committee of the committee of the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo (FUHSO). Data was collected using a pretested structured online questionnaire and analysed with SPSS software version 20.0. The result was presented in textual forms, charts and tables. Results: Out of 275 study participants 14 had HIP given a prevalence 5.1%. The median gestational age at diagnosis was 17 weeks. The determinants of HIP in Benue South in this study were the age groups 16-25 (aOR=0.00,CI=0.00-0.55,p-vaue=0.029) and 26-35 (aOR=0.00,CI=0.00-0.79), history of chronic hypertension (aOR=0.01, CI=0.00- 0.43,p-value=0.016) and family history of HIP (aOR=0.02,CI=0.00-0.409, p-value=0.012). Conclusion: This present study demonstrated high prevalence of HIP. There is need for
continuous education on the risk factors of HIP for the public and the caregivers. Policy needs to be put in place on strategies to prevent the disease as well as its adverse pregnancy outcomes.