Gynecology & Obstetrics
Open Access

Abstract

The Perception of Patients' Relations on the Cause of Eclampsia

Adamu AN, Tunau KA, Hassan M and Ekele BA

Introduction: Eclampsia is a major cause of maternal mortality especially in low resource setting. Limited data exists on the perception of the cause of this condition among relations of patients who suffered from it. The information may be relevant in reducing the overall burden of eclampsia and any measure or investigation that would assist in reducing the incidence would be worthwhile.

Objectives: To determine what the relations of patients with eclampsia perceived as the cause of the disease and to 00 the ‘first aid’ treatment given to patients with eclampsia at home before hospital care.

Method: A prospective study conducted at the eclampsia ward of a tertiary hospital. Relations of patients admitted with eclampsia were interviewed within 24-48 hours of arrival using a semi-structured interview guide. Analysis was by the EPI INFO computer package.

Results: One hundred and fifty nine (159) relations of 56 patients with eclampsia were interviewed, mean age was 43 years. Most of the relations had no formal education (80%; 127), 59% (N=75) attributed eclampsia to ‘iskoki’ (evil spirit) while 20% (N=32) had no idea of the cause of eclampsia. Only 6% correctly related eclampsia to elevated blood pressure. Of the 56 patients with eclampsia, 71% of (N=40 received ‘first aid’ treatment in the form of ‘rubutu’ holy water; ‘hayaki’ and herbs orally. The case fatality in this study was 23%. There was no association between the use of home first aid treatment and maternal deaths (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Poor understanding of the aetiology of eclampsia exists among patients’ relations and this may have implication on the immediate care given to the patient. Public enlightenment campaigns to educate people on the cause and complications of eclampsia are necessary.