Treatment compliance among pregnant women with pregnancy induced hypertension
(PIH) continues to be a major global health challenge. Maternal and infant mortality
and morbidity remain high and PIH is one of the leading causes. However very little
has been achieved to bring this condition under control and many mothers and
newborns continue to die or suffer many complications. The main objective of this
study was to assess treatment compliance among women with PIH in Health Facilities
within Rachuonyo North Sub-County Homa-Bay County. The specific objectives
were to establish the socio-demographic factors that influence treatment compliance
among women with PIH, to determine the knowledge level of women with PIH and to
establish the health system factors influencing treatment compliance among women
with PIH in Rachuonyo North Sub-county. A cross sectional descriptive study was
undertaken targeting pregnant women already diagnosed with PIH in selected Health
Facilities within Rachuonyo North Sub-County. Data collection tools used was
researcher-administered questionnaires, FGD guides and KIIs. The questionnaires
were filled by 175 women who were proportionately allocated the 3 Level 4 health
facilities in the Sub-county. Within each health facility, pregnant women with PIH
were conveniently sampled. Two doctors, two clinical health officers and two Nurses
were used as key informants to provide additional information. The association
between the variables was assessed using Chi Square and logistic regression. The
level of treatment compliance among women with PIH stood at 18.3%. Among the
women with PIH, 68.1% had high knowledge on treatment compliance. Sociodemographic
factors that were significantly associated with treatment compliance
were age (p-value = .007) and highest level of education attained respondents (p-value
= .038). On the health system factors; explanation of PIH during diagnosis (p-value =
.001), advice on the importance of taking PIH medications (p-value = .025),
explanation on schedule and timing of taking medications (p-value = .024) and
frequency of follow up (p-value = .001) were significantly associated with treatment
compliance. However education level was the only significant factor that could
predict treatment compliance with respondents who had completed primary schools
were 4.968 (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 4.968, p-value = .05) times more likely to comply
with PIH treatment as compared to respondents who had not completed primary. The
study findings are useful for planning and designing appropriate intervention by the
Ministry of Health, Non-governmental organization and stakeholders in order to
create awareness about treatment compliance among pregnant mothers with PIH so as
to avert the trend and prevalence of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension.