Effect of Socioeconomic Status on Preeclampsia Cross Sectional Study

Abstract
Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is defined as a pregnancy specific syndrome usually occurs after 20 week gestation, it is determined by increased blood pressure (>140mmHg systolic or >90mmHg diastolic) accompanied by proteinuria (>0.3gm protein in a 24h specimen). Preeclampsia is multifactorial disease with environmental, socioeconomic and seasonal influence. It also has genetic predisposition. Preeclampsia affects approximately 5 to 7% of all pregnancies. And it remains the major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.
Aim of Study: Is detect the possible association between SES of the pregnant woman and PE and to assess whether the rate of PE or its severity is affected by different SES levels.
Patients and Methods: Cross sectional study design on pregnant women diagnosed to have preeclampsia at Luxor International Hospital. The purposive sample of 145 case collected through 6 months during the period from 1st October 2016 until the end of April 2017. Sample size calculated using G power Program version 3.1.3 with Confidence Level (CL) 95%. The study consist of 4 parts. 1st part: A structure inter-viewing questionnaire was done for data collection; personal, medical, obestetrical. 2nd part: Clinical examination to diagnose PE. 3rd part: Laboratory investigation to confirm diagnosis. 4th part: The SES data was designed according to modified Fahmy and El-Sherbini scale 2012 to asses the SES of the participating women which consist of 7 domains.
Results: The study resulted in no significant statistical difference between severity of preeclampsia and mother age (p=0.800), obstetric history, previous history of PE (p=0.075) and medical diseases such as essential hypertension (p=0.300) and diabetes mellitus (p=0.316); but there was a significant statistical relationship between severity of PE and bronchial asthma (p=0.008). There is also a significant statistical rela-tionship between severity of PE and level of education (p= 0.024), home sanitation (p=0.014), family possessions (p= 0.0.005), and economic status (p=0.030). but there is no significant statistical relationship between severity of PE and occupation (p=0.111), family domain (p=0.161) and health care domain (p=0.217).
Conclusion: There is association between level of educa-tion, home sanitation, family possessions, and economic status as an indicators for socioeconomic status and severity of preeclampsia.
Recommendation: Health education programs should be organized for pregnant women about the risk factors of preeclampsia; and for staff members about risk factors, early detection and early management of preeclampsia; improving ante-natal care for pregnant mothers in Egypt and improve the health level of poor families to reduce the risks of preec-lampsia and to help early diagnosis; so that can decrease maternal and perinatal mortality.