Reproductive health practices among women with heart disease at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, version 3.0
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Date
16-03-22
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Type of Study
This is a qualitative study that is going to be conducted at an outpatient clinic at Queen
Elizabeth Central Hospital.
Problem
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of Indirect Maternal deaths in developed countries
(1). The obstetric transition concept suggests that as a country’s maternal mortality ratio
decreases, as has been the case for Malawi, the burden of maternal mortality switches from direct to indirect causes, such as heart disease (2–5). In Malawi, data for heart disease in pregnancy is meagre but likely to be underestimated. However, studies in LMICs have demonstrated heart disease in pregnancy to be associated with increased mortality and morbidity, as the provision of optimal care is challenging in most circumstances (6).
The recommended strategies for reducing the burden of heart disease on maternal health include counselling on the possible complications that can arise if they get pregnant, avoiding unintended pregnancies by offering appropriate contraception, optimising health before pregnancy and good antenatal care with a multidisciplinary approach (7,8). These strategies are recommended to be started at the time of diagnosis or as early as menarche for those with congenital heart disease (9).
There is need to understand the local reproductive health practices among women with heart disease as the obstetric transition happens. This understanding will help identify the factors to address when promoting the reproductive health of women with heart disease.
Objectives
The main objective is to understand the factors affecting the reproductive health practices among women with heart disease who attend the Chest Clinic at QECH.
Specific Objectives
• To identify the factors that influence the desired fertility of women with heart disease
• To assess perceptions of effects of heart disease on reproductive health among women with heart disease
• To explore perceptions about the effects of pregnancy on heart disease among women
with heart disease To compare provisions contained in the international, national, and local normative guidance on the care of pregnant women with heart disease with the actual practice of providing care to this group at QECH
Methodology
This study will use qualitative methods. It will be done at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and will recruit 25 women with heart diseases and 3 medical key informants. In-depth interviews will be used to collect the data, and thematic analysis will be done.
Expected Findings
This study will provide an understanding of the reproductive health practices among women with heart disease and the factors affecting them. This knowledge will help with areas of focus when planning ways of promoting the reproductive health of women with heart disease
Description
Keywords
Reproductive health practices among women with heart disease