Assessing pre-eclampsia awareness among pregnant women in Syria: a cross-sectional study on knowledge and perceptions

Abstract

Background

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in mothers worldwide. Adequate understanding of this condition improves treatment, control, and prevention. This study evaluated preeclampsia awareness among pregnant women in Syria, and the characteristics related to awareness adequacy.

Methods

This national cross-sectional study was conducted in Syria between 25 October and November 19, 2022. We included pregnant females of all age groups from all Syrian governorates. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge of pre-eclampsia and its associated factors, symptoms, and complications.

Results

Overall, 706 participants were involved in this research, with a mean age of 38.22. Only 52.1% of them reported that they had heard of preeclampsia. Among the participants, 56.5% stated that they would not terminate a pregnancy if they were determined to be likely to develop preeclampsia, while nearly 55.2% agreed to continue the pregnancy rather than deliver prematurely even if their where a potential risk on their health risks. Participants who reported a family history of PE or had already experienced PE were more likely to have appropriate preeclampsia knowledge than those who did not (OR = 2.27, OR = 3.18, respectively). Respondents aged 25 to 35 years had the highest knowledge scores, and participants living in cities scored higher knowledge than rural residents.

Conclusion

According to our findings, pregnant women in Syria have a awareness gaps regarding the PE topic. This highlights the need to enhance women’s preeclampsia understanding for better pregnancy outcomes. Education through organizations, the media, and national programs is a significant aspect that promotes an adequate understanding of preeclampsia.

Introduction

Preeclampsia (PE) is characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria at 300 mg/day in pregnant women [1]. This condition is one of the primary causes of maternal and child mortality in low-income countries and is accompanied by symptoms, such as edema, hypertension, and proteinuria [2]. As per the assessment conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of preeclampsia spans from 2 to 10% across global pregnancies. Nevertheless, developing countries exhibit a reported incidence ranging from 1.8 to 16.7% [3].

Although the exact pathogenic mechanism of preeclampsia remains unclear, some animal and human studies have suggested that defective trophoblast invasion coupled with reduced uteroplacental perfusion may be the underlying cause [4].

Preeclampsia poses a variety of risk factors, including a history of preeclampsia, pregestational diabetes mellitus, chronic high blood pressure, antiphospholipid syndrome, and obesity. Furthermore, other critical factors contribute to the risk, such as advanced maternal age, nulliparity, history of chronic kidney disease, and use of assisted reproductive technologies [5]. Preeclampsia includes two stages: stage I is pre-clinical, which includes abnormal development of the uterine circulation, and stage II is the clinical stage, which manifests as the development of preeclampsia by relaying factors into the maternal circulation. The link between these two stages, proposed in 1993 by Roberts and Redman as endothelial dysfunction, suggests that the maternal endothelium serves as the primary target (leading to the development of stage II hypertension and proteinuria) for placenta-derived factors (generated in stage I) [6].

Preeclamptic pregnancies increase the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease and death in women, with the risk ranging from double the norm to an 8- to 9-fold increase in those who gave birth before 34 weeks of gestation [7]. The diagnosis of PE requires a new onset of hypertension and proteinuria during the second half of gestation. However, their presence does not always lead to complications and does not fully predict the serious consequences of PE. Current efforts focus on identifying this disorder, its pathogenesis, and its multisystemic nature to improve the prediction of early diagnosis and estimation of prognosis for maternal and fetal survival [8].

Adequate knowledge of preeclampsia is essential for the early detection, management, and prevention of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. However, a significant knowledge gap remains concerning pre-eclampsia in low-income countries, preventing the implementation of effective preventive measures and timely interventions to improve maternal and neonatal health. Prior studies have asserted that informing patients about the disease has great benefits in complying with treatment and in reducing complications associated with the disease [9]. To address these problems, we need to assess women’s attitudes toward predictive and diagnostic tests and how they can influence decisions about treatment and early delivery [10].

Syria is middle east country that suffered from prolonged political and socioeconomic crisis for 11 years, leading to a marked decline in living standards and a substantial degradation of the healthcare infrastructure. The accessibility of healthcare services is notably constrained due to security-related impediments. Furthermore, the provision of maternal and child health services at the primary healthcare (PHC) level is disrupted. The ramifications for maternal and child morbidity and mortality stemming from deliveries occurring amidst the conflict are not definitively ascertained [11].

Given the importance of this matter on the lives of pregnant women and their fetuses and the absence of previous studies rating the awareness of pregnant Syrian women towards preeclampsia, we conducted this study to assess the knowledge and attitudes of pregnant Syrian women towards preeclampsia.

Methods

Study design and settings

This descriptive, survey-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in Syria between October 25 and November 19, 2022. Situated in the northern part of the Middle East in Southwest Asia, Syria is a relatively small country.

This study focused on Syrian women with at least one previous pregnancy across all age groups in every Syrian governorate, and we excluded non pregnant females, pregnant women working in the health sector, and non-Syrian females. Participation was voluntary, and those willing to contribute were required to indicate their informed consent by responding to the initial survey question, “Would you like to participate in this study?” To ensure the precision of the study, non-Syrian pregnant women, non-pregnant females, and individuals who declined participation were excluded from the analysis.

Before participating in the study, the participants received comprehensive information outlining the study’s objectives, significance, and procedural details. A clear emphasis was placed on the voluntary nature of their involvement, emphasizing their right to withdraw from the study at any point without repercussions. Confidentiality was maintained meticulously, ensuring all shared information would be strictly utilized for research purposes.

The sample size for this online survey was determined using a single-population proportion formula: n = [(Zα/2)² * P * (1—P)] / d².

• Confidence level = 95%.

• Z a/2 = 1.96.

• Margin of error = 5%.

• P = Proportion to be estimated = 50%.

The sample size is equal to (385). On the Google form website (https://www.google.com/forms/), (1046) participants were invited to complete the survey; however, (340) respondents declined, resulting in a final sample size of 706.

Data Collection and Study Instrument

A web-based questionnaire was incorporated into a previous study [9]. The questionnaire was initially created in English using a back-translation technique, and then translated into Arabic. A professional healthcare translator has translated the English version into Arabic and then translated the Arabic version back to English for comparison with the original version. An Arabic online form was disseminated to potential participants via social media, including Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp, to ensure data security. Sixteen medical students from various medical schools in Syria performed the data collection (Data Collection Group). We applied a snowball sampling technique in the facilitation of data acquisition. A proficient investigator monitored the data collection process to uphold the integrity and dependability of the amassed data while concurrently insuring its confidentiality.

Two sections of the questionnaire were included. The first section measures sociodemographic characteristics, while the second evaluates knowledge of pre-eclampsia and its associated factors, symptoms, and complications.

A pilot study was conducted to confirm the validity and clarity of this questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to 47 expectant women, who were not part of the primary study. After designing the pilot study, we adopted a questionnaire and assured high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha varied from 0.712 to 0.861).

Sociodemographic variables

This section comprises 10 questions about participants’ sociodemographic variables, including age, residency, educational level, gestational age, whether this was their first pregnancy, the number of children they had, marital status, social status, whether they had experienced preeclampsia, and if there was a family history of preeclampsia.

Knowledge of preeclampsia and its associated factors, symptoms and complications

The participants’ knowledge of PE was evaluated through questions about awareness, signs/symptoms, risk factors, and complications. The questionnaire used 22 closed-ended questions with predefined response options (Additional File 1). For example, participants were asked, ‘What are some of the risk factors for preeclampsia?’ with answer choices like “Obesity [Yes], [No], and [I do not know].” Each correct response was awarded one point, whereas incorrect or unanswered questions received zero points. These scores were then converted to percentages, and the Bloom cutoff point was used to categorize preeclampsia knowledge into three levels: low (< 60%), medium (60–80%), and high (80–100%).

Ethical consideration

Ethical clearance was obtained from the Syrian Ethical Society for Scientific Research in Aleppo (IRB number: FCL/P-17). The standard question was set at the beginning of the first page of the survey (Do you agree to participate in this study?). Participants who answered ‘Yes’ were automatically directed to the following sections, which offered detailed study questions. The estimated completion time of the survey was 10–14 minutes, and each answer was stored in a secure online database.

Statistical analysis

Data were cleaned using Microsoft Excel before being exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, including simple frequencies and percentages, were used to analyze demographic characteristics and categorical variables, while continuous variables were represented as mean ± standard deviation. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors linked to sufficient preeclampsia knowledge. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Sociodemographic characteristics and history of PE

This investigation incorporated a total of 706 subjects. The average age within the study populace was 38.22 ± 10.79 years, with a predominant residence in urban locales observed among more than two-thirds (n = 487, 69%) of the participants. Approximately (n = 429, 60.8%) of the participants possessed a university-level education, whereas (n = 44, 6.2%) exhibited a state of illiteracy. Most respondents (n = 378, 53.5%) conveyed a characterization of moderate economic circumstances. The prevalence of a familial history of preeclampsia was reported by a significant majority of study participants (n = 626, 88.7%). In comparison, only (n = 56, 7.9%) had previously received a diagnosis of preeclampsia (Table 1).

Table 1 Sociodemographic characteristics and history of PE

Knowledge of PE, risk factors, symptoms, and complications

A substantial number of participants reported being familiar with preeclampsia (n = 368, 52.1%). The most reported symptoms of preeclampsia were hypertension during pregnancy (n = 383, 54.2%), ongoing headache (n = 300, 42.5%), and feeling nauseous and wanting to vomit (n = 292, 41.4%). The predominant risk factor identified for preeclampsia was a prior history of the disorder (n = 320, 45.3%). Prevalent complications linked to preeclampsia encompassed both infant and maternal fatality (n = 405, 57.4%) and (n = 328, 46.5%), respectively. Furthermore, a significant proportion of the participants (n = 249, 35.3%) stated that they did not know the severity of the PE. (Table 2).

Table 2 Participants’ response to questions on knowledge of PE, risk factors, symptoms, and complications

Factors associated with adequate knowledge of PE among the study population

Four out of ten predictor variables were significantly correlated with good knowledge of preeclampsia (P < 0.05), including education, economic condition, family history of preeclampsia, and having prior preeclampsia. University-educated respondents showed a higher probability of having good knowledge of preeclampsia than did illiterate (AOR = 3.26; CI: 95%; P value < 0.05). Regarding financial status, participants with excellent income were more likely to have good knowledge than those with bad income (AOR = 3.29 CI: 95%; P value < 0.05). Respondents with a family history of preeclampsia and prior preeclampsia were more likely to have good preeclampsia knowledge than those who did not (AOR = 2.27 CI: 95%; P value < 0.05) (AOR = 3.18 CI: 95%; P value < 0.05) (Table 3).

Table 3 Factors associated with good knowledge of PE among the study population (good versus bad knowledge)

Participants’ attitudes

Most of the participants (n = 566, 80.2%) expressed a willingness to undergo predictive testing, with over half (n = 399, 56.5%) indicating a commitment to continue conception even if the predictive test suggested a predisposition to preeclampsia. Regarding diagnostic assessments, a majority of respondents (n = 524, 74.2%) expressed consent to undergo such tests during pregnancy, citing the resultant peace of mind as a motivating factor, while 55.7% declined that diagnostic testing would increase their anxiety. Concerning the management of preeclampsia, a substantial percentage (n = 548, 77.6%) asserted a readiness to modify their dietary habits to mitigate the risk of preeclampsia despite the absence of conclusive empirical support for its efficacy. Similarly, a comparable proportion (n = 506, 71.7%) expressed a willingness to explore alternative treatments, even those entailing potential side effects to diminish the likelihood of encountering preeclampsia. Furthermore, regarding expectant management, (n = 397, 56.2%) of respondents advocated for immediate delivery in the case of severe preeclampsia diagnosis, while almost an equivalent proportion (n = 390, 55.2%) endorsed the continuation of pregnancy, even in the face of associated health risks, rather than opting for premature delivery (Table 4).

Table 4 Participants’ attitudes

Correlation Matrix

A statistically significant moderate positive association was found between age and parity (r = 0.53, p < 0.001), whereas there was a significant weak negative correlation between the total knowledge score and parity (r=-0.10, p = 0.007) (Table 5).

Table 5 Correlation Matrix

Differences in total knowledge score (TKS) among different sociodemographic characteristics

There were significant associations between the five variables of different sociodemographic characteristics (age group, employment status, residence status, education status, and income status) and the total knowledge score of preeclampsia (P < 0.05). Respondents aged 25 to 35 had the highest total knowledge score compared to the other group (3.58 ± 2.24). Additionally, respondents living in cities scored higher on knowledge than rural residents (3.48 ± 2.26). Regarding the education status, illiterate respondents were less knowledgeable than educated participants in all educational subgroups(2.16 ± 2.27). However, participants with bad income status had the lowest total knowledge score among other economic groups (2.24 ± 2.3). On the other hand, the study participants with prior preeclampsia and a family history of PE had higher total knowledge scores than those who did not (4.75 ± 1.82) and (4.51 ± 1.9), respectively(Table 6).

Table 6 Differences in total knowledge score (TKS) among different sociodemographic characteristics

Discussion

Preeclampsia (PE) is a prevalent contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality on a global scale, impacting an estimated 2–8% of pregnancies worldwide, with rates escalating to 10% in low-income nations [12]. Given the profound implications of this condition for both pregnant women and their fetuses, coupled with the dearth of prior investigations assessing the awareness of preeclampsia among pregnant Syrian women, this study was undertaken to assess their comprehension of this medical concern. The gravity of preeclampsia in jeopardizing the well-being of pregnant women and their unborn offspring motivated our inquiry. Our findings revealed that 52.1% of all participants demonstrated an awareness of preeclampsia. In contrast, a study conducted in Ghana [9] reported that 88.4% of respondents exhibited inadequate awareness of preeclampsia. Nonetheless, a minority of respondents in both our study and the Ghanaian research possessed limited insights into the signs, symptoms, risk factors, and consequences of preeclampsia. This observation underscores the need for further investigation to elucidate the potential underlying factors that could inform the development of pertinent health promotion interventions. Based on sociodemographic characteristics, age between 25 and 35 years, city residency, university-level education, good income, prior preeclampsia, and family history of preeclampsia were significantly associated with greater odds of having adequate knowledge of preeclampsia. Participants who had experienced prior preeclampsia and those with a family history of preeclampsia were significantly more likely to have adequate knowledge about preeclampsia. Similarly, having a higher level of education and being of a more advanced age were substantially linked with better chances of having a sufficient understanding of PE [13]. Because patients’ knowledge of an illness favorably affects their compliance to treatment and helps abate difficulties connected with the condition, evidence suggests that a good understanding of a disorder helps with its prevention, control, and management [13, 14]. For instance, MacGillivray et al. conducted an intervention trial in Jamaica and found that providing cards depicting the symptoms of PE resulted in fewer adverse events occurring among patients [15]. This demonstrates that having a solid understanding of preeclampsia is directly related to better clinical results, and that the opposite is true. Therefore, determining the prevalence of preeclampsia among high-risk populations and improving their understanding of the condition may be vital for reducing the rising incidence of the illness and its associated adverse effects.

When women are informed about the potential outcomes of the symptoms they experience, there is a greater likelihood that they will seek urgent medical attention. The low levels of awareness of preeclampsia found in this study are concerning; nevertheless, they are not insurmountable because the variables that impacted those levels of knowledge were not fixed or general demographic characteristics. Having a high educational level, being economically well off, having a family history of preeclampsia, and having previously experienced preeclampsia were the only factors independently associated with adequate knowledge of preeclampsia after adjusting for other factors that could influence the relationship. This suggests that educating women about preeclampsia through effective methods, such as during antenatal visits, media channels, and with family members, could help improve patients’ understanding of the condition and potentially reduce preeclampsia-related deaths in Syria, similar to the results of a study conducted in Ghana [9], where a higher educational level was found to be associated with better knowledge of preeclampsia. Enhancing patient awareness of preeclampsia has been demonstrated to result in earlier reporting of symptoms, potentially leading to more rapid intervention and better health outcomes for both mother and baby [16, 17]. You et al. proposed that a significant reduction in the severe consequences of preeclampsia might be achieved by increasing the knowledge of the condition and reporting symptoms at an earlier stage [18]. Similarly, research conducted in the United States by Ogunyemi et al. suggested that patient education could have prevented 72% of the instances of eclampsia [19]. Furthermore, due to the plausible relationship between preeclampsia knowledge and improved clinical outcomes, these earlier findings support our argument that improving knowledge of preeclampsia among pregnant women is crucial for reducing the prevalence, complications, and mortality associated with the disease.

Our findings underscore the need to enhance the awareness and knowledge of preeclampsia among pregnant Syrian women. Despite its significant impact on maternal and fetal health, a substantial knowledge gap exists regarding preeclampsia symptoms, risk factors, and complications. Tailored educational initiatives are crucial to address this gap, especially for those with lower education levels and limited healthcare access. These programs should be integrated into antenatal care, community workshops, and digital platforms, offering comprehensive information to empower women to make informed decisions regarding their health.

Moreover, we should highlight the importance of mitigating the anxiety associated with diagnostic tests by fostering effective communication and psychological support. Shared decision making should be promoted among healthcare professionals and pregnant women to ensure that treatment choices align with individual preferences and evidence-based guidance. In the long term, policy efforts must improve the healthcare infrastructure and equitable access to care, guaranteeing that all pregnant women have equal opportunities for education, early detection, and proper management of preeclampsia. By addressing these recommendations, healthcare systems can make significant strides toward reducing the burden of preeclampsia on maternal and neonatal health in Syria and similar contexts.

The study’s inability to fully explore participants’ answer options in light of their pre-existing knowledge was constrained by closed-ended questions. Women selected to participate in the research after making an in-person visit to the clinic or hospital may have different characteristics than women who had consultations by phone, creating the possibility of selection bias. The second set of females may have responded differently, leading to different research results. There is also the possibility of skewed results because the survey was administered online to those who were more likely to be college-educated, have their own cell phones, and live in urban areas. The cross-sectional study design presents potential bias and cannot prove a causal relationship. The utilized sample size surpassed the prescribed quantity for the investigation to guarantee adequacy, addressing the potential occurrence of recurrent or unfinished responses. The economic status has not categorized according to a certain. This online cross-sectional study employed social media platforms as a means of data acquisition; although a proficient investigator oversaw the data collection, the potential for bias remains inherent. The sample, drawn from various Syrian governorates, is limited in size, thereby precluding its comprehensive representation of the entirety of the Syrian female population.

Conclusion

Our investigation identified knowledge lacunae pertaining to preeclampsia among Syrian women. Nevertheless, education plays a crucial role in augmenting awareness and understanding of this ailment. Notably, personal or familial history of preeclampsia emerges as the most pivotal determinant for fostering a comprehensive comprehension of the condition. This underscores the imperative to intensify attempt aimed at enlightening women about preeclampsia to enhance the prospects of healthier pregnancies. The dissemination of information can be derived from diverse channels such as contextual health education administered during antenatal care, media platforms, and national educational initiatives. The amplification of educational campaigns is recommended to bolster awareness on the subject. Furthermore, healthcare providers specializing in obstetrics are well-positioned to contribute to education by imparting knowledge to pregnant individuals attending their clinics or hospitals, thereby mitigating the risk of severe complications associated with this disease.