| dc.description.abstract | Background:
Shortened
coagulation
tests
(Thrombophilia)
are
a
marker
of
hypercoagulability observed in pregnancy and immediate postpartum period. While this is
beneficial for preventing maternal hemorrhage, at the same time also predisposes the women
for multiple complications. This study determined the prevalence of thrombophilia, the
associated socio-demographic factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic
at Mpigi Health Center IV.
Methods: This was a cross sectional study in which adult consented pregnant women
attending Mpigi Health Centre IV were enrolled. Four milliliters of citrated blood were taken
off, and spun to obtain hemolysis free plasma which was later analyzed for coagulation tests
of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and thrombin time
(TT). In addition, socio-demographic characteristics of the participant were recorded using a
questionnaire. Data were analyzed, and presented as tables and a pie-chart. Logistic
regression was used to establish the associated factors of thrombophilia, and variables with a
p-value ≤ to 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The study enrolled 136 pregnant women, their mean age was 29.7 years (range; 18
to 39 years). Most (50.9%, N=69) of the women were in different relationships, and a single
participant (0.74%) reported a history of thrombophilia. The coagulation parameters of the
participants varied by gestation period. The mean PT was 9.27 seconds with SD of ±1.13,
while the mean a PTT was 35.59 ± 4.95 seconds. The mean TT was 27.51± 3.78 seconds.
Thrombophilia was observed in 17 out of 136, giving a prevalence of 12.5% (95% confidence
interval: 9.10 – 14.92). Age category, gestation period and history of thrombophilia showed a
significant association (p<0.05).
Conclusion: This study has found a high prevalence of thrombophilia, and there cases were
typically characterized by delayed diagnosis. This necessitates the need to establish early
diagnosis and establish the need for anticoagulation therapy to prevent adverse pregnancy
outcomes. | en_US |
