PREVALENCE OF PREGNANCY INDUCED HYPERTENSION AMONG WOMEN IN OWO,ONDO STATE.

ABSTRACT The leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality is pregnancy-induced hypertension. This study therefore assessed prevalence of pregnancy induced hypertension among women attending Oke Mapo Antenatal Clinic Owo, Ondo State.The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design. A total of 138 respondents were assessed through purposive sampling technique and the collected data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. 91.3 (66.2%) had good knowledge on pregnancy induced hypertension while 46.7 (33.8%) had poor knowledge. Factors influencing pregnancy induced hypertension included family history of pregnancy induced hypertension - 82.6%, family history of chronic hypertension - 76.1%, obesity - 73.9%, mother’s age - 68.2%, abortion - 88.5%, family issue – 86.3%, psychological stress during pregnancy - 83.4%, residence – 76.1%. The study therefore recommended that efforts should be intensified by the governments and health workers in primary, secondary and tertiary level of healthcare deliveries, to raise awareness on the importance of screening and enhance maternal and child health, improving screening, treatment, and prevention strategies for pregnancy induced hypertension.