Hypertension Awareness and Risk Reduction among Pregnant Women in West Africa A Review

Mugo Moses H.

School of Natural and Applied Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

                                                                   ABSTRACT
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), including pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, gestational hypertension, and chronic hypertension complicating pregnancy, are leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. In West Africa, HDP contributes substantially to adverse pregnancy outcomes against a backdrop of heterogeneous health systems, variable antenatal care (ANC) coverage, and limited community awareness. This review synthesizes recent evidence on the epidemiology of HDP in West Africa, awareness and knowledge levels among pregnant women, risk factors, current screening and risk-reduction strategies, and barriers to implementation. We highlight interventions with promising results, task-sharing with community health workers, strengthening ANC screening, community education, and health system investments, and identify research and policy gaps. Practical, culturally-tailored programs that combine improved access to ANC, targeted health education on HDP warning signs, and strengthened referral/emergency obstetric care are essential to reduce the burden of HDP in the region.

Keywords: hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, awareness, antenatal care, West Africa.

CITE AS: Mugo Moses H. (2026). Hypertension Awareness and Risk Reduction among Pregnant Women in West Africa A Review. INOSR APPLIED SCIENCES 14(2):50-55.
https://doi.org/10.59298/INOSRAS/2025/14.2.5055