KNOWLEDGE OF HYPERTENSION IN PREGNANCY AS ACAUSE OF MATERNAL MORTALITY AMONG PREGNANT MOTHERS IN OWERRI SENATORIAL ZONE OF IMO STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study was conducted to ascertain knowledge of hypertension among pregnant women in Owerri senatorial zone of Imo state, Nigeria. Three specific objectives were formulated with three corresponding research questions. The only null-hypothesis was also postulated to guide the study. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study and the sample consisted of 432 pregnant women. Questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. Percentages and ANOVA. were used to analyze the data. The results of the study showed that pregnant women had high level of knowledge of the concept and risk factors of  hypertension. There was significant difference in the level of knowledge of hypertension among pregnant women according to level of education. The study therefore recommends that government and voluntary health agencies should sponsor intensive enlightenment campaigns through print and electronic media in order to sustain the knowledge level of pregnant women regarding hypertension.