Prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension among pregnant women in rural areas of Dibrugarh District, Assam.

Context: Hypertension is one of the most common medical disorders complicating pregnancies and complicates 5 to 10% of all pregnancies.

Aims: To estimate the prevalence of hypertension among pregnant women and to determine the associated obstetric risk factors of hypertension among them in rural areas of Dibrugarh district, Assam.

Settings And Design: Community-based cross-sectional study.

Materials And Methods: The present study was conducted on pregnant women of villages under two health blocks at that point of time from May 2017 to April 2018. The sample size was calculated to be 384. The estimated number of pregnant women in each block was noted, and the pregnant women to be included from each block and from each sub-centre was determined by proportional allocation. Data were collected by house-to-house survey in the villages of the respective sub-centre. A pre-designed and pre-tested proforma was used to collect the data.

Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analysed using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression.

Results: A total of 384 pregnant women gave consent for participation. The prevalence of hypertension in pregnancy was 9.1%. Among the obstetric factors, multigravidity, multiparity, period of gestation >20 weeks, history of hypertension in previous pregnancy, and history of prior still birth were statistically significant risk factors of hypertension in pregnancy. Logistic regression analysis showed period of gestation >20 weeks to be independent predictor of hypertension in pregnancy.

Conclusion: The awareness of obstetric risk factors for hypertension in pregnancy may give ways for prevention in this population.