Abstract

Pre-eclampsia stands as a major contributor to maternal mortality, perinatal complications,
preterm births, and restricted fetal growth. Globally, it ranks among the top three causes of
maternal mortality and affects 6-8% of pregnancies, contributing to approximately nine
percent of maternal deaths in Africa. This study aimed to identify factors linked to preeclampsia
prevalence among pregnant women receiving antenatal care at Fortportal
Regional Referral Hospital. Conducting a hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 60
pregnant women, data collection employed a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis
with SPSS version 25 determined Odds Ratios with 95% confidence intervals, marking
significance at p values <0.05. Findings revealed several significant associations. Sociodemographic
factors like lower maternal age, limited education, and reduced income were
linked to pre-eclampsia, alongside obstetric factors including lower parity (≤ 4), overweight
status, a history of gestational diabetes mellitus, shorter interpregnancy intervals (≤ 2
years), and previous diagnoses of gestational hypertension. The study underscores the
critical need for urgent interventions in the district to address these identified risk factors
and prevent and manage pre-eclampsia effectively among pregnant women attending
Fortportal Regional Referral Hospital. Both socio-economic and obstetric factors
significantly contribute to the occurrence of pre-eclampsia, necessitating targeted
interventions for improved maternal and fetal health outcomes