Prevalence and demographic distribution associated with pre-eclampsia among pregnant women at a local Teaching Hospital in Ghana

Abstract Background In sub-Saharan Africa, pre-eclampsia remains a major health problem contributing to high rates of maternal mortality. Despite this condition having adverse effects on maternal and child health, its prevalence and associated risk factors are still significant, especially in developing countries including Ghana. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and demographic distributions associated with pre-eclampsia among pregnant women at the Ho Teaching Hospital. Methods A facility-based retrospective study was conducted by reviewing available data or hospital records of pregnant mothers who were admitted to the labour and maternity wards from January 2018 to December 2020. The data were collected using a structured checklist. Results A total of 5,609 deliveries were recorded from 2018 to 2020. Out of the 5,609 deliveries, 314 pre-eclampsia cases were recorded giving an overall prevalence of 5.6 %. The yearly prevalence for 2018, 2019, and 2020 were 4.6 %, 5.6 %, and 6.6 %, respectively. The most recorded pre-eclampsia cases were seen among women within the age group of 18-24 years. The data showed that 112 (35.7 %) of the mothers who had pre-eclampsia were nulliparous. Pre-eclampsia associated maternal and fetal complications were; preterm delivery 221 (70.4 %), intrauterine fetal death 62 (19.7 %), eclampsia 9 (2.9 %), HELLP syndrome 5 (1.6 %) and maternal death 17 (5.4 %). Associated factors of pre-eclampsia were parity, level of education, and occupation (p=<0.05). Conclusion The findings of this study showed a rising trend in the incidence of pre-eclampsia over the years at the Ho Teaching Hospital. Parity, level of education, and occupation were found to be associated with developing pre-eclampsia.