Profile of high-risk pregnancy attending Primary Healthcare Centers in Babylon Governorate in 2019

Abstract EN

Background : Access to healthcare and prevention of maternal and neonatal mortality are of major components of social justice.

Pregnancy could be a distinctive and natural physiological method among females, however will be deteriorated following background or sudden disorders of mother or fetus.

Pregnancy is classified as high risk when mother, fetus, or neonate is more susceptible to disability, disorders, or death.

High-risk pregnant mothers are women with history of chronic diseases (hypertension, thyroid disease cardiovascular disorders, and diabetes mellitus), history of abortion during previous pregnancies, multiparty, those aged <18 or more than 35 years, intervals <3 years pregnancies, delivery by cesarean section (CS), and gravidity more than four.

Objectives : (1) Identify the prevalence of high‑risk pregnancy (HRP) attending primary health care centers in Babylon province.

(2) Assess the risk factors associated with HRP.

Patients and Methods: An exploratory descriptive cross-sectional study to be conducted at about 10 primary healthcare centers include a convenient sample of 290 pregnant women who visit the antenatal care unit in Babylon governorate from February to May 2019.

There are two tools used for data collection : Tool I : Morrison and Olsen high risk scoring inventory tool, it is simple, valid form for antenatal risk scoring which categorize patient as low, (0–2) high (3–6) or extreme high (7 or more) on the basis of past obstetric history, medical and surgical history and current pregnancy.

Tool II : An interview questionnaire sheet designed by researches for data collection by which the pregnant are to be interviewed for about 10 min after giving their verbal consent.

Results: The mean age of pregnant women is 25.

53 ± 5.

72; 54.

1% from urban area and the majority not employee, i.

e.

, 92.

4% and their education level was primary, i.

e.

, 37.

6%, 40.

7% had + ve husband consanguinity, and 86.

2% had regular menstrual cycle.

The risk factor affecting current pregnancy was mainly : anemia (18.

6 %) and hypertension (6.

9 %), and 6.

2 % sensitized due to RH negative.

The factors affecting past pregnancy included the following : multipara (8.

3 %), previous miscarriage (12.

1 %), and previous CS (16.

2 %).

Only 3.

1 % had previous surgery in the genital tract, 3.

2 % had gestational diabetes, and 1.

7 % had chronic hypertension.

Conclusion : The results demonstrated the need for health surveillance and education, counseling and guiding women at risk.

Early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and prevention should be taken as soon as possible by regular antenatal care to prevent complication.