Assessing communication practices on pre-eclampsia/eclampsia at antenatal clinics at Kawempe National Referral Hospital

Abstract

Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia remains the second leading cause of maternal deaths in Uganda but the leading cause of death at Kawempe National Referral Hospital, responsible for over 42% of maternal deaths. However, there remains a gap in knowledge and awareness about pregnancy. This study investigates communication of pre-eclampsia at antenatal clinics, which are the focus for information dissemination to expectant mothers at Kawempe National Referral Hospital. Building on the Health Belief Model and the Knowledge divide theory, the qualitative research study employed seven in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions to find out the information women receive at antenatal clinics and pre-eclampsia specific information, the emphasis on prevention of the condition and the challenges faced in communication about preeclampsia, also unearthing how better communication on pre-eclampsia can be done. The study findings reveal a broad lack of or limited understanding of pre-eclampsia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics due to inadequate communication about the condition, regardless of its severity and prevalence. This inadequate awareness is exacerbated by the overcrowded antenatal clinics, which deter interactivity among health educators and pregnant others, inadequate resources like public address systems, and language barriers, as communication is done only in Luganda and English. Also, myths and misconceptions of preeclampsia relating to witchcraft or punishment for infidelity further hinder the effectiveness of communication efforts. The study thus recommends the elevation of the pre-eclampsia profile within the antenatal care curriculum by dedicating adequate time and resources to comprehensive pre-eclampsia education, the introduction of more interactive educational methods, such as workshops, group discussions, and personalised counselling to engage pregnant women more effectively and cater to different learning styles, expansion of educational efforts beyond the clinic setting to include community outreach programs, use of influential figures and testimonials in pre-eclampsia education and addressing staffing gaps at the hospital.