Epidemiological Profile of Preeclampsia in Community Health Centers in the Sikasso Region of Mali

Preeclampsia and eclampsia are common complications of pregnancy worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan African countries. In 2022, preeclampsia/eclampsia accounted for 33.8% of deaths in Mali, while hemorrhage was the leading cause of maternal death (42%). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on retrospective data on pregnant women or women in childbirth admitted to the maternity wards of community health centers in the Sikasso region from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023. Sampling was exhaustive, based on data from pregnancy follow-up forms and partograms. Data entry and analysis were performed using STATA software version. 17. Results: 230 cases of preeclampsia were identified out of a total of 1188 pregnancy and partogram follow-up forms, ie a frequency of 19.36%. The average age of preeclampsia cases was 27.10 years, with the 30-39 age group in the majority (35.65%). Primigravida and nulliparia accounted for 30% and 27.83% respectively. The use of ANC services was 92.17%, with 88.18% of cases recorded in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. In 65.65% of preeclampsia cases, blood pressure was ≥ 140/90 and ≤ 159/109 at diagnosis, and proteinuria was 01 cross in 62.18% of cases. Pre-transfer treatment was used in 45.83% of severe preeclampsia cases, 72.73% of eclampsia cases and 30.97% of moderate preeclampsia cases. The route of administration of magnesium sulfate was intra-muscular in 100% of cases, and compliance with the pre-transfer treatment protocol was observed in 95%. Some 52% of cases were referred/evacuated to a higher-level healthcare facility. Conclusion: the majority of women seek antenatal care services at their third trimester of pregnancy, doing screening for late preeclampsia in accordance with WHO-recommended standards.