Abstract:
Background: Gestational hypertension poses a significant risk to maternal and foetal health, particularly in resource-limited settings like the Shai-Osudoku District Hospital (SODH) in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. This study aimed to investigate the effect of gestational hypertension on birth outcomes within this specific healthcare context.
Methodology: Employing a quantitative method, data from medical records of women who delivered at Shai-Osudoku District Hospital between January 2023 and January 2024 were analysed. Variables such as maternal age, gravidity, parity, gestational age, blood pressure readings, mode of delivery, and neonatal outcomes were examined. Statistical analyses including descriptive statistics, Chi-Square tests, and logistic regression models were conducted to assess the association and effect between gestational hypertension and adverse birth outcomes.
Results/Findings: The prevalence of gestational hypertension was 32.2%. The association between gestational hypertension and birth outcomes indicated significant association between birth weight (0.016), first Apgar score (0.039), delivery complications (<0.001) and NICU admission (<0.001). The study also identified the effect between gestational hypertension and birth outcomes variables including delivery complications (eclampsia = 7.703 likely occurrence, pre-eclampsia = 10.282 likely occurrence), NICU admission (2.594), Apgar score 1 (4-6 = 0.581 likely occurrence).
Conclusion: The prevalence of gestational hypertension was very high at SODH compared to other hospitals in Ghana. Gestational hypertension has an effect on birth outcomes of newborns put to bed by diagnosed gestational hypertensive mothers, which emphasizes the need to intensify mitigating measures such as ensuring expectant mothers diagnosed with gestational hypertension take their anti-hypertensive medications to reduce effects gestational hypertension has on newborns.
