Sociodemographic Characteristics of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension: An Observational Study in the Kolhapur Population

Abstract

Backgrounds: Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) is the foremost cause of maternal and neonatal

mortality. Research suggests PIH is associated with different socio-demographic parameters. However,

there is a paucity in the data regarding the socio-demographic characteristics of pregnancies affected by

hypertension. This study aimed at evaluating socio-demographic characteristics of PIH in Kolhapur district,

Maharashtra.

Materials and Method: Pregnant women (n=150) with Blood Pressure >140/90 mm of Hg after 20 weeks

of gestation and willing to give consent were included. Those not willing for follow up, patients with history

of obesity, chronic hypertension, coronary heart disease were excluded. Data collection was done using pre

designed, pre-tested questionnaire comprising of questions on sociodemographic parameters. Association

between variables was calculated by chi square test and P-values < 0.05 were considered significant.

Results: Mean age of the participants was 22.57 ± 3.68 years, 81% suffered from mild PE (n=122) and 62%

were primiparas (n = 93). 97% of them belonged to the rural background, and most of them were literate

(n=107, 71.33%). 52% (n=82) belonged to Class I status. Neonatal outcome was normal is most (n=137),

preterm births (n=18), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (n =31), in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

(n=15). Sociodemographic parameters and PIH showed no association.

Conclusion: Primipara women had higher incidence of pregnancy induced hypertension. However,

pregnancy induced hypertension did not seem to have any association with the socio-demographic variables.