Prevalence of Preeclampsia Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital

Preeclampsia remains a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigerian hospitals carrying a disproportionate burden of severe cases. This study determines the prevalence and associated risk factors of preeclampsia among pregnant women attending antenatal care at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Cross River State, South South Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used, enrolling 300 pregnant women at 20 weeks gestation or beyond over a six-month period. Data on blood pressure readings, proteinuria by dipstick, gestational age, parity, booking status, and sociodemographic characteristics were obtained through structured questionnaires and clinical records. Preeclampsia was defined per the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy criteria. Prevalence was 11.3 percent, with severe preeclampsia accounting for 38 percent of cases. Nulliparity (OR 2.8), multiple gestation (OR 4.1), and late antenatal booking beyond 28 weeks (OR 3.2) were independently associated with preeclampsia. Women aged above 35 years had significantly higher rates. The study identifies late booking and inadequate antenatal attendance as modifiable risk factors specific to the Cross River State context. Recommendations include community health education on early antenatal registration, routine blood pressure monitoring from first contact, and standardised preeclampsia screening protocols for UCTH. These findings provide baseline epidemiological data to inform targeted preeclampsia prevention programmes in the South South geopolitical zone. Keywords: preeclampsia, antenatal care, UCTH, maternal mortality, hypertension in pregnancy