Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41779809›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Community awareness, perceptions, and management practices related to pre-eclampsia: An exploratory qualitative study in Mbale City, Eastern Uganda.

Enid Kawala Kagoya, Allan G Nsubuga, Irene Atuhairwe, Prossy Nakattudde, Catherine Asiimwe, Chrispus Gidudu, Elizabeth Ajalo, Paul Waako, Julius Wandabwa, Lawrence Arach and 16 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

26 authors.

Enid Kawala KagoyaDepartment of Community Health, Busitema University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2841-3523
Allan G NsubugaSeed Global Health, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7438-4324
Irene AtuhairweSeed Global Health, Kampala, Uganda.
Prossy NakattuddeSeed Global Health, Kampala, Uganda.
Catherine AsiimweDepartment of Community Health, Busitema University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda.
Chrispus GiduduDepartment of Community Health, Busitema University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda.
Elizabeth AjaloDepartment of Community Health, Busitema University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda.
Paul WaakoDepartment of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Busitema University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda.
Julius WandabwaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Busitema University, faculty of health sciences, Mbale, Uganda.
Lawrence ArachSeed Global Health, Kampala, Uganda.
Grace Mbabazi AtwakireDepartment of Community Health, Busitema University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda.
Milton MusabaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Busitema University, faculty of health sciences, Mbale, Uganda.
Ronald KibuukaDepartment of Community Health, Busitema University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5265-4549
Faith NyangomaDepartment of Community Health, Busitema University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda.
Sheilla MbanagoDepartment of Community Health, Busitema University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda.
Joshua MugabiDepartment of Community Health, Busitema University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda.
Violet ChemutaiDepartment of Community Health, Busitema University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda.
Jesca AtugonzaDepartment of Community Health, Busitema University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda.
Byron Jonathan EwaalaDepartment of Community Health, Busitema University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda.
Betty NakawukaDepartment of Community Health, Busitema University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda.
Francis OkelloDepartment of Community Health, Busitema University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda.
Richard MugahiDepartment of Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda.
Jackline AkelloDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5760-9031
Andrew TwineamatsikoSeed Global Health, Kampala, Uganda.
Moses AdromaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4795-1159
Kenneth MugabeDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Busitema University, faculty of health sciences, Mbale, Uganda.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPre-eclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are the second leading cause of maternal mortality globally, with 95% of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In Uganda, these conditions account for approximately 16% of maternal deaths. Despite their burden, little is known about women's knowledge, perceptions, and management practices regarding pre-eclampsia in such settings, yet early recognition and care-seeking are critical to improving outcomes.

objectiveTo explore community awareness, perceptions, and management practices related to pre-eclampsia in Mbale City, Eastern Uganda.

methodsAn exploratory qualitative study was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 81 women aged 18-49 years during a community outreach event on pre-eclampsia. Data was collected over six days (21st-26th May 2024) by 28 trained research midwives stationed at various community sites. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed using ATLAS.ti software.

resultsParticipants exhibited limited and mixed understanding of pre-eclampsia, often associating it with symptoms such as swollen feet, headaches, body weakness, and high blood pressure, but also with misconceptions such as witchcraft, marital stress, and multiple pregnancies. Many lacked a local term for the condition. Women reported varied care-seeking responses, with some turning to traditional birth attendants and herbal remedies, while others sought biomedical care. Fear of death was a motivator for some to seek timely medical attention.

conclusionThere was a critical gap in accurate knowledge and awareness of pre-eclampsia among women in Mbale City. Misconceptions and reliance on traditional remedies contribute to delayed care-seeking. Targeted, culturally appropriate educational interventions are urgently needed to improve early recognition, promote biomedical care, and enhance maternal and newborn outcomes.

Indexed as

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticePre-EclampsiaAdolescentAdultFemaleHumansMaternal MortalityMiddle AgedPatient Acceptance of Health CarePregnancyQualitative ResearchUgandaYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID41779809
PMCPMC12959696

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.