Incidence of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension among Women Attending Ante Natal Clinic, In Zone a General Hospitals of Yobe State

Pregnancy induced hypertension is one of the most common cause of both maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality affecting a sizable number of pregnant women. Hence this study was carried out to investigate incidence of pregnancy induced hypertension among women attending ante natal clinic in general hospital of zone A Yobe state. A survey descriptive study was carried out among pregnant women attending ante natal clinic within the general hospital of Zone A Yobe sate. Using simple random sampling techniques, 343 structured questionnaires were administered, of which 300 were retrieved and used in this study and the data obtained were analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. The response rate was 87%.Four research questions were answered, and four hypotheses tested. The research question 1, 2 and 4 were tested using percentages and frequencies; while research question 3 and the hypotheses were tested using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation. The hypotheses were tested at 95% confidence level. Most of the pregnant women attending ante natal clinic within the General hospital of zone A Yobe state are of the age range 25- 34yrs and 15- 24yrs (37.7% and 28.0%, respectively), most are islam, 266(88.7%); majority possess secondary and tertiary education, 89(29.7%) and 88(29.3), respectively.; no formal education, 63(21.0%); and primary, 60 (20.0%). The incidence of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) among pregnant woman is very low (20.7%). Most of them, 226(75.3%) have heard of PIH; only 75(25.0%) have knowledge of the predisposing factors of PIH. There was a negative but no significant relationship between diet and PIH (r = -0.06, P 0.05); level of education and PIH (P > 0.05); risk factors and PIH (P > 0.05) and between diet and PIH (P > 0.05). Hypotheses one to four were accepted/ not rejected (P > 0.05). More efforts should be put in by health workers and the government to keep it low or even lower by educating the pregnant women in the study area about the risk factors and complications of PIH; those who have been diagnosed to have the disorder should be taught how to effectively manage it.