European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

HYPERTENSION IN PREGNANCY: A COMMUNITY-BASED STUDY PERFORMED IN FALLUJA CITY- AL ANBAR PROVINCE / IRAQ

Azhar Khalid Mahmood Al-Hayani*

ABSTRACT

Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy occur in women with preexisting primary or secondary chronic hypertension, and in women who develop new-onset hypertension in the second half of pregnancy. The present study was conducted to study the prevalence and correlates of hypertension in pregnancy at the primary health care sector in Falluja city- Al Anbar province / Iraq. This cross-sectional study was carried out on (450) pregnant women. All the pregnant women registered at a point of time of visit were included in the study. Appropriate statistical tests were used for analysis. The results showed that the prevalence of hypertension in pregnancy was found to be 7.1%. Maternal age ≥25 years, gestational peril1od ≤20 weeks, history of cesarean section, history of preterm delivery, and history of hypertension in previous pregnancy were found to be significantly associated with prevalence of hypertension in pregnancy. It can be concluded from our study that nearly 7.1% women in Felloja Al Anbar province suffers from a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Early diagnosis and treatment through regular antenatal checkup is a key factor to prevent hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and its complications.

Keywords: Hypertension, pregnancy, prevalence.