The Occurrence and Associated Risk Factors of Pre –Eclampsia Amongst Pregnant Women in Their Third Trimester of Gestation Attending the Bamenda Sub–Divisional Medicalized Health Center Nkwen

Pre –eclampsia is a condition that cause complications in pregnancy such as preterm delivery, low weight babies and perinatal death. This study therefore was aimed at evaluating the occurrence and associated risk factors of pre – eclampsia amongst pregnant women in their third trimester of gestation. A cross – sectional hospital based design involving 160 randomly selected pregnant women. Data on demographic and risk factors were collected using a well – structured pretested questionnaire while proteinuria and blood pressure were determined using combi – 2 dip strip and sphygmomanometer respectively. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17. From the results obtained, the prevalence of pre – eclampsia was shown to be 6.3% and the predisposing risk factors were maternal age, body mass index, past history of pre – eclampsia, family history of diabetes mellitus, family history of hypertension, husbands age, paternity and work stress. In conclusion, the occurrence of pre – eclampsia was high with the most important risk factors being maternal age ≥ 35 years, family history of hypertension and past history of pre – eclampsia.