An Investigation into Pre-Eclampsia Awareness and the Implementation of an Educational Initiative for Expectant Mothers at the Primary Health Center in Kirumampakkam, Puducherry

Dr. Jayasree et al. An Investigation into Pre-Eclampsia Awareness and the Implementation of an Educational Initiative for Expectant Mothers at the Primary Health Center in Kirumampakkam, Puducherry. Int. J Med. Pharm. Res., 6 (5): 1061‐1070, 2025 1061 International Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Research Online ISSN-2958-3683 | Print ISSN-2958-3675 Frequency: Bi-Monthly Available online on: https://ijmpr.in/ Research Article An Investigation into Pre-Eclampsia Awareness and the Implementation of an Educational Initiative for Expectant Mothers at the Primary Health Center in Kirumampakkam, Puducherry Dr. Jayasree1; Dr. Prasath2; Dr. Kishore Kumar3; Dr.Narayanan4 1 Dean, Takshashila Medical College, Takshashila University 2 Medical Superintendent, Takshashila Medical College Hospital 3 Assistant Professor, Dept. Of Physiology, Takshashila Medical college, Takshashila Univesity 4 Medical Officer, PHC Kirumampakkam A B S T R A C T Corresponding Author: Dr. Kishore Kumar Assistant Professor, Dept. Of Physiology, Takshashila Medical college, Takshashila Univesity Received: 02-09-2025 Accepted: 25-09-2025 Available online: 05-10-2025 Pregnancy brings about significant physiological and anatomical changes in a woman's body. Among the many medical issues that can arise during pregnancy, hypertension is the most common, affecting 2-3% of pregnancies. Previously known as PET (pre-eclamptic toxaemia), it is now referred to as PregnancyInduced Hypertension (PIH). Complications related to PIH have been on the rise globally, with approximately 1500 women succumbing to its effects daily. PIH stands as a major health concern, contributing significantly to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least one woman dies every seven minutes due to complications arising from hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Severe hypertension not only increases the risk of cardiac failure and cerebral vascular accidents in expectant mothers but also poses threats to the foetus, including poor placental oxygen transfer, growth restriction, preterm birth, placental abruption, stillbirth, and neonatal death. The reported incidence of PIH is 5-10%, and despite efforts by the federal ministry of health to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality, there has been an upward trend in morbidity and mortality attributed to PIH. In this study, we adopted a descriptive approach and utilized convenience sampling to select 30 antenatal mothers as study subjects. The research was conducted at the Primary Health Center in Kirumampakkam, Puducherry, and data was collected through a structured questionnaire. Additionally, we organized an educational program by providing pamphlets to the antenatal mothers. The results revealed that 66.7% of the antenatal mothers exhibited poor knowledge regarding pregnancy-induced hypertension, 30% had moderate knowledge, and only 3.3% had adequate knowledge. Notably, 93.3% of the antenatal mothers belonged to rural communities, indicating a lack of adequate knowledge concerning pregnancy-induced hypertension. In conclusion, the majority of antenatal mothers in the study had poor knowledge about pregnancy-induced hypertension. Demographic variables were significantly associated with the level of knowledge among antenatal mothers. This study underscores the importance of raising awareness and educating expectant mothers about pregnancy-induced hypertension, especially in rural communities, to mitigate its impact on maternal and perinatal health. Copyright © International Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Research Keywords: Pregnancy‐Induced Hypertension (PIH); Antenatal Mothers; Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy Dr. Jayasree et al. An Investigation into Pre-Eclampsia Awareness and the Implementation of an Educational Initiative for Expectant Mothers at the Primary Health Center in Kirumampakkam, Puducherry. Int. J Med. Pharm. Res., 6 (5): 1061‐1070, 2025 1062 INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy is a significant phase in a woman's life, filled with unique experiences and often accompanied by joy [1]. It exemplifies a woman's remarkable ability to nurture life while providing a connection to the future. Ensuring maternal well-being is a global imperative, especially as pregnancy involves profound physiological and anatomical changes [2]. Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programs have been pivotal in improving maternity services. They trace their origins back to the early 1900s when midwives and birth attendants in rural areas received formal training [3]. The Mudaliar Committee's recommendations in 1962 aimed to expand MCH centers, emphasizing the importance of one Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) per 10,000 people. The Indian government established a national policy for children and a children's board to support these initiatives [3]. Over time, the Indian government's efforts, notably through the MCH program, have contributed to a reduction in maternal mortality and morbidity [2]. However, Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH) remains a common and serious concern during pregnancy, affecting 2-3% of pregnancies and presenting various complications [4]. PIH represents a significant challenge in the field of obstetrics, standing as one of the primary causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality [5]. Shockingly, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that a woman dies every seven minutes due to complications associated with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy [5]. Need for the Study: Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH) is a life-threatening condition during pregnancy, associated with various adverse outcomes, including premature delivery, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), placental abruption, intrauterine fetal demise, and maternal morbidity and mortality (6). Despite these risks, many expectant mothers lack awareness of PIH (6). Preserving maternal health is a fundamental aspect of the Millennium Development Goals (7). This study highlights the need to raise awareness, especially in rural communities, to mitigate the impact of PIH. Problem Statement: "An Investigation into Pre-Eclampsia Awareness and the Implementation of an Educational Initiative for Expectant Mothers at the Primary Health Center in Kirumampakkam, Puducherry." Objectives: • To evaluate the awareness and knowledge of expectant mothers regarding Pre-Eclampsia. • To identify any associations between the knowledge of expectant mothers and various demographic variables. • To introduce and implement an educational initiative aimed at improving awareness of Pre-Eclampsia. Hypotheses: There will be no significant associations between the knowledge of expectant mothers and related demographic variables. Methodology This quantitative study adopted a descriptive research approach to assess antenatal mothers' knowledge of PIH. The research design was descriptive, conducted at the Primary Health Center in Kirumampakkam, Puducherry, focusing on antenatal mothers visiting on Wednesdays. A sample of 30 antenatal mothers was selected using convenient sampling. Inclusion criteria encompassed gestational weeks from 24 to 40, willingness to participate, and the ability to read and write in English and Tamil. Exclusion criteria included inability to read or write in these languages and unwillingness to participate. A structured questionnaire collected data, covering demographic variables and knowledge of PIH. Data analysis employed various statistical methods, including numbers, percentages, frequencies, means, standard deviations, MannWhitney tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION ⚫ Descriptive statistics involved frequency and percentage distributions for demographic data. ⚫ Inferential statistics included paired and unpaired 't' tests to compare data between two groups. One-way ANOVA explored the association between mean knowledge improvement and selected demographic variables. Result: TABLE 1.1: PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF AGE AT MARRIAGE. S.no. Age at marriage (in years) Number Percentage (%) 1 <20 years 6 20.0% 2 21-30 years 24 80.0% Dr. Jayasree et al. An Investigation into Pre-Eclampsia Awareness and the Implementation of an Educational Initiative for Expectant Mothers at the Primary Health Center in Kirumampakkam, Puducherry. Int. J Med. Pharm. Res., 6 (5): 1061‐1070, 2025 1063 FIGURE 1.1: Distribution of age at marriage. INFERENCE: • Distribution of age at marriage shows that 80% (24) of antenatal mothers were married at 21-30 years of age, 20% (6) of mothers were married at • It has been concluded that majority of antenatal mothers were married at • Still 20% of mothers are at high risk because they are married at below 20 years of age TABLE 1.2: DISTRIBUTION OF AGE AMONG ANTENATAL MOTHERS IN YEARS. S.no. Age (in years) Number Percentage (%) 1 20-25 years 20 66.7% 2 26-30 years 09 30.0% 3 >30 years 01 3.3% FIGURE-1.2: Distribution of age among antenatal mothers. Dr. Jayasree et al. An Investigation into Pre-Eclampsia Awareness and the Implementation of an Educational Initiative for Expectant Mothers at the Primary Health Center in Kirumampakkam, Puducherry. Int. J Med. Pharm. Res., 6 (5): 1061‐1070, 2025 1064 INFERENCE: • Table 1.1 shows that age distribution among all the antenatal mothers were from 20-25 is 66.7% (20), antenatal mother between 26-30 years were 30% (9), mothers above >30 years were 3.3% (1). • It has been concluded that the majority of the antenatal mothers were between the age of 20-25 years. • It means most of the antenatal mothers are well aware of correct age of marriage & it’s a welcome sign to reduces the risk complications TABLE 1.3: PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF AREA OF RESIDENCE: S.no. Residence Number Percentage (%) 1 Urban 2 6.7% 2 Rural 28 93.3% FIGURE 1.3: Distribution of area of residence. INFERENCE: • Regarding the distribution of area of residency, it was observed that 6.7% (2) of antenatal mothers were belonged to urban, 98.3% (28) of mothers belonged from rural community. • It has been concluded that majority of antenatal mothers were from rural area. • It’s a welcome sign that antenatal mothers from rural area are voluntarily coming for the regular antenatal checkup TABLE 1.4: DISTRIBUTION OF EDUCATIONAL STATUS. S.no. Education Number Percentage (%) 1 Primary 1 3.3% 2 H.S 13 43.3% 3 Degree 16 53.3% Dr. Jayasree et al. An Investigation into Pre-Eclampsia Awareness and the Implementation of an Educational Initiative for Expectant Mothers at the Primary Health Center in Kirumampakkam, Puducherry. Int. J Med. Pharm. Res., 6 (5): 1061‐1070, 2025 1065 FIGURE 1.4: Distribution of educational status. INFERENCE: • Education status showed that about 3.3% (1) of antenatal mothers had primary education, 43.3% (13) of mothers had higher education, 53.3% (16) of mothers had degree education. • It has been concluded that majority of the antenatal mothers had degree education. • It shows that literacy rate of the mothers is improved. TABLE 1.5: DISTRIBUTION OF OCCUPATIONAL STATUS OF ANTENATAL MOTHERS. S.no. Occupation Number Percentage (%) 1 Housewife 26 86.7% 2 Business 1 3.3% 3 Govt. service 3 10.0% FIGURE 1.5: Distribution of occupational status of antenatal mother. Dr. Jayasree et al. An Investigation into Pre-Eclampsia Awareness and the Implementation of an Educational Initiative for Expectant Mothers at the Primary Health Center in Kirumampakkam, Puducherry. Int. J Med. Pharm. Res., 6 (5): 1061‐1070, 2025 1066 INFERENCE: • Occupational status is about 3.3 % (1) of antenatal mothers were doing business, 10.0% (3) of mothers were doing government service, 86.7% (26) of mothers were doing house wife. • It has been concluded that majority of antenatal mothers are house wife. • We found that majority of housewife are well aware of antenatal services. TABLE 1.6: DISTRIBUTION OF GESTATIONAL AGE OF ANTENATAL MOTHERS. S.no. Gestational age (in weeks) Number Percentage (%) 1 > 24 Weeks 8 26.7% 2 24-36 weeks 18 60.0% 3 37-39 Weeks 4 13.3% FIGURE 1.6: Distribution of gestational age of antenatal mothers. INFERENCE: • Gestational age distribution shows that 13.3% (4) of mothers were at 37-39 weeks of gestation, 26.7% (8) of mothers were at <24 weeks of gestation, 60% (18) of mothers were at 24-36 weeks of gestation. • It has been concluded that majority of antenatal mothers were at 24-36 weeks of gestational age. TABLE 1.7: DISTRIBUTION OF ORDER OF PREGNANCY. S.no. Order of Pregnancy Number Percentage (%) 1 Primi 17 56.7% 2 Multi 13 43.3% 3 Grand multi 0 0.0% Dr. Jayasree et al. An Investigation into Pre-Eclampsia Awareness and the Implementation of an Educational Initiative for Expectant Mothers at the Primary Health Center in Kirumampakkam, Puducherry. Int. J Med. Pharm. Res., 6 (5): 1061‐1070, 2025 1067 FIGURE 1.7: Distribution of order of pregnancy INFERENCE: • Distribution of order of pregnancy among all antenatal mothers showed none of the mother were belongs to grand multi, 43.3% (13) of mothers are multi, 56.7% (17) of mothers are primi mothers. • It has been concluded that majority of antenatal mothers are primi mothers. • Appreciate the mothers because they are well aware about the family planning and so the risk complications was reduced. TABLE 1.8: DISTRIBUTION OF HISTORY OF PREVIOUS PREGNANCY S.no. HOPP count Number Percentage (%) 1 ND 1 17 26.7% 2 IUD 4 4 3.3% 3 Cesarean 17 09 13.3% FIGURE 1.8: Distribution of history of previous pregnancy INFERENCE: • Distribution of history of previous pregnancy showed that 3.3% ( 4)of antenatal mothers were having intra uterine death (IUD), 13.3% (9), • Of mothers having history of cesarean delivery, 26.7% (17) of mothers were having history of normal delivery. • It has been conclude that majority of antenatal mothers had normal delivery. • High risk is still not reduced it shows that they are not using hospital services. Dr. Jayasree et al. An Investigation into Pre-Eclampsia Awareness and the Implementation of an Educational Initiative for Expectant Mothers at the Primary Health Center in Kirumampakkam, Puducherry. Int. J Med. Pharm. Res., 6 (5): 1061‐1070, 2025 1068 TABLE-1.9: FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF KNOWLEDGE AMONG ANTENATAL MOTHERS. Knowledge Frequency (in numbers) Percentage (%) Inadequate 20 66.7 Moderate 9 30 Adequate 1 3.3 Total 30 100 FIGURE 1.9: Frequency distribution of knowledge among antenatal mothers. INFERENCE: • Frequency distribution of knowledge shows that out of total number of sample, 66.7% (20) of mothers were having poor knowledge about pregnancy induced hypertension, 30% (9) of mothers having moderate knowledge about PIH, 3.3% (1) of mothers were having adequate knowledge regarding pregnancy induced hypertension. • MCH programme was first initiated in the early 1900’s when maternity services were improved and rural midwives and birth attendants received training. In 1946, the Bhore committee recommended the integration of MCH within general health services but implementation occurred after 1955. Before 1953, MCH was unevenly distributed and delivered through maternity homes and midwives. The Mudaliar committee in 1962, recommended for instance the expansion of MCH centers to include 1 ANM per 10,000 population, the committee on child welfare programme associated successful family planning with good MCH services. India established a national policy for children and a children’s board. • Now the maternal mortality and morbidity arte was reduced by the actions taken by the goverment of india through MCH programme. The 1983 national health policy identified 9 out of 17 goals as child-related. Hypertension is the most common medical problem encountered during pregnancy complicating 2-3% of pregnancies. Many complication are arising during pregnancy. Now days in worldwide PIH complications are increased. Everyday 1500 women die from these complications. PIH is a major health problem in the obstetric population, in the obstetric populations as they are one of the leading cause of maternal, perinatal morbidity and mortality. • After implementing 5 year plan still the study shows that the majority of mothers doesn’t have adequate knowledge about pregnancy induced hypertension. TABLE-1.10: ASSOCIATION-1 ASSOCIATION BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE AND AREA OF RESIDENCY. S.no. Residency Median class 1 Urban 11 2 Rural 6 Dr. Jayasree et al. An Investigation into Pre-Eclampsia Awareness and the Implementation of an Educational Initiative for Expectant Mothers at the Primary Health Center in Kirumampakkam, Puducherry. Int. J Med. Pharm. Res., 6 (5): 1061‐1070, 2025 1069 FIGURE1.10Association between knowledge with area of residency- (urban, rural) INFERENCE: • Association between knowledge with area of residency (urban, rural) shows that - Antenatal mothers who were living in rural community they have less or minimal knowledge regarding pregnancy induced hypertension compare to mothers who were living in urban community. • It’s a welcome sign that antenatal mothers from rural area are voluntarily coming for the regular antenatal checkup. TABLE 1.12: ASSOCIATION-2 ASSOCIATION BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE WITH FAMILY HISTORY. S.no. Family history Median class 1 Yes 4 2 No 7 FIGURE1.11: Association between knowledge with family history.