Dissertation (MSc Midwifery)
Pre-eclampsia/Eclampsia is among the condition which has high maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Adequate knowledge and good skills in managing the condition contribute significantly to its Prevention, control, and management. The objective of the present study was to assess factors associated with nurses knowledge and skills in the management of preeclampsia/eclampsia in the Kilimanjaro region. It was a hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study design, a total sample of 176 nurses working in maternity block were involved in the study. Convenient sampling was used to select nurse in the facility selected. A closed-ended structured questionnaire and checklist were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics was computed to assess level of knowledge and to determine nurses skills, both linear and logistic regression was used for data analysis to establish predictors. The study found that 44.3% of respondents had adequate knowledge and 46.6% had good skills towards management of preeclampsia/eclampsia. The following were factors associated with knowledge professional training [Bachelor of Science in nursing and above (β =;-0.139;95% CI 0.164,4.336); p<0.035)], Level of facility [Consultant hospital (β = 0.216; 95%CI;0.164,4.336); p<0.004)], Type of facility [Non-Government (β =0.181;95%CI;0.393,3.776); p<0.016)], Having been adjusted for confounders, the factors which associated with nurses skills on management of preeclampsia/ eclampsia was level of professional training [BSc Nursing, (AOR=3.27 at 95% CI =1.157 - 9.239, p <0.025)]. In knowledge the following confounders were adjusted professional, type of facility (government), the experience in obstetrics, number of the patient served per day, attended on the job training and observing colleague while on skills were experienced in an obstetric unit, level of facility (RRH), number of the patient served per day. This study showed there was inadequate knowledge of the management of preeclampsia/eclampsia among nurses working in obstetric units; the study also showed poor skills on management of preeclampsia/eclampsia among nurses working in the obstetric unit. Adequate knowledge and good skillsare crucial to nurses in the management of preeclampsia/eclampsia to improve maternal condition and fetal well-being. Nurses and other health stakeholders together with Ministry of health and social welfare community development, gender, elderly, and children (MoHCDGEC) should take an effort to impact nurses with knowledge and skills on how to manage patients with preeclampsia/eclampsia.