Determinants of Knowledge and Care-seeking Behaviour for Preeclampsia among Pregnant Women in Northern Ghana: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction Preeclampsia is a form of pregnancy-induced hypertension that is a pressing public health issue in Ghana and is one of the main contributors to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Timely identification of preeclampsia symptoms and taking action (seeking care) after identifying those symptoms is essential for reducing adverse outcomes associated with pregnancy in Ghana. Pregnant women’s understanding of preeclampsia, the risks, signs, and complications associated with preeclampsia differs greatly within Ghana, and is affected by societal, cultural, and health-related factors. In northern Ghana, there are unique maternal health challenges due to socio-economic disparities, educational differences, and access to health care. The only way to develop targeted health education, improve the quality of antenatal care services, and improve early detection and management of preeclampsia for women in this area is by understanding the factors influencing pregnant women’s knowledge and behaviour related to seeking care for preeclampsia. For this reason, the study was conducted with a cross-sectional analysis using hospitals in Northern Ghana to identify the determinants that influence the knowledge and behaviour of pregnant women related to preeclampsia. Method This study was conducted in the Northern Region of Ghana at four selected health facilities: Tamale Teaching Hospital, Northern Regional Hospital, Tamale West Hospital, and Savelugu Municipal Hospital. A hospital-based cross-sectional study design with a quantitative approach was employed to assess the determinants of knowledge and care-seeking behaviour for preeclampsia among pregnant women. The study was a multicentre prospective cross-sectional survey conducted between April 2025 and September 2025. The study population comprised pregnant women receiving antenatal care services at the selected hospitals during the study period. A total sample size of 1,011 pregnant women was recruited for the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to eligible participants. The data was analysed by using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Results The study found that 65.6% of the respondents were married. Respondents stated they experienced symptoms of preeclampsia during their pregnancy. The most common symptom was stomach pain (92.3%), followed by hypertension (74.2%). About 44.2% of the respondents encountered terrible migraines whereas the swelling of the head/ face (35.7%) and obscured vision (31.1%). When inquiring where they would go to receive aid in case they experienced the symptoms of preeclampsia, a larger number of respondents identified pharmacies (59.7%) than hospitals or health centres (40.3%). High awareness (71.1%) and knowledge level (71.0%) of preeclampsia were found among the respondents. Age (X2 = 61.446, p<0.001), educational level (X2 = 185.832, p<0.001), parity (X2 = 29.084, p<0.001), and awareness on preeclampsia (X2 = 441.534, p<0.001) was a predictor of the condition. Conclusion The research has found that while pregnant women in Northern Ghana have received significant education about pre-eclampsia, there are still some critical differences in how they seek proper care when experiencing the signs/symptoms of this condition. Hence, policy-makers should look at ways to alleviate the fear of going to the hospital by enhancing the quality of interactions between health care workers and patients and making services more patient-centred.