Avina Joshi
Nominated From: University of Michigan
Research Site: University of Ghana
Research Area: Obstetrics & Gynecology
Primary Mentor: Cheryl Moyer
Research Project
The Patient Perspective on Preeclampsia and Eclampsia: An Analysis of Attitudes, Knowledge and Experiences of Postpartum Women in Ghana
Hypertensive disorders complicate 10% of pregnancies worldwide and preeclampsia occurs in 2-8% of all pregnancies globally. In developing countries, hypertensive disorders account for 10-15% of maternal deaths. In Ghana, the incidence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy has been estimated from a hospital based study as 7.6%. Eclampsia contributes significantly to maternal mortality in developing countries. In Ghana, a case fatality of 3.9% has been reported, and institutional reports from two major tertiary level hospitals suggest hypertensive disorders have overtaken haemorrhage as the leading cause of maternal mortality.
Research Significance
Despite a large amount of research on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, limited focus has been placed on understanding the patient perspective. Little is known about attitudes, knowledge and experiences in women with pregnancies affected by Preeclampsia and Eclampsia. Gathering and analyzing this data can have key implications for addressing knowledge gaps, improving patient counseling, encouraging early prenatal visits and hospital deliveries for high risk women in subsequent pregnancies, and addressing implications for breastfeeding and infant bonding. Findings from this research will have key implications for developing educational interventions to address knowledge gaps, improving patient counseling, encouraging early prenatal visits and hospital deliveries for high risk women in subsequent pregnancies, and addressing implications for breastfeeding and infant bonding.
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