Sociodemographic Study Of High Risk Pregnancy Admitted In Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

Background: High-risk pregnancy is influenced by a combination of sociodemographic, reproductive, nutritional, medical and
obstetric factors. Identification of these factors during antenatal care is essential for appropriate monitoring, timely intervention and
referral. This study was undertaken to describe the sociodemographic, reproductive and selected high-risk pregnancy characteristics
among pregnant women attending a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 high-risk pregnant women attending a tertiary
care centre. Data were collected using a pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire. Sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive
history and selected medical and obstetric risk factors were documented. Particular emphasis was given to anaemia, its severity,
antepartum haemorrhage, previous caesarean section, hypertension in pregnancy and other high-risk characteristics. Data were entered
into an electronic master sheet and analysed using appropriate descriptive statistical methods.
Results: The majority of participants were aged 21–25 years (56.0%), followed by 26–30 years (21.2%). Lower-middle socioeconomic
status was most common (40.4%), while secondary education was reported in 36.4%. Most participants belonged to urban areas
(75.2%). Among the reported high-risk factors, anaemia was the most frequent, affecting 198 women (79.2%) in the combined study
table. In the separate anaemia table, 225 women were reported as anaemic, with moderate anaemia being the predominant category
(49.0%), followed by severe (20.0%) and mild anaemia (21.5%). Antepartum haemorrhage was reported in 31 women (12.28%).
Regarding reproductive characteristics, 59.6% had their first pregnancy before 20 years, 44.0% reported consanguineous marriage
and 73.6% were multigravidae.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates a diverse burden of nutritional, medical, obstetric and reproductive risk factors among highrisk
pregnant women. Anaemia constituted the predominant reported risk factor, emphasizing the importance of systematic antenatal
screening, early diagnosis and appropriate management. Strengthening risk identification and timely referral may improve the quality
of care provided to high-risk pregnant women.