Leg Oedema During Pregnancy Among Nigerian Igbo Women: Perceptions, Prevalence, Prognosis And Treatment-Seeking Behaviours

Abstract

In order to determine the perceptions, prevalence and prognosis of leg oedema during pregnancy as well as the treatmentseeking behaviour for the condition among Nigerian Igbo women, we conducted a point prevalence survey of 1000 consecutive pregnant Igbo women over a 10-month period.The age of respondents ranged from 17 years to 45 years with a mean of 28years. The overall prevalence rate of leg oedema during pregnancy was 8.5%. The earliest gestational age at which it first appeared during pregnancy was 24 weeks, and 100% of cases disappeared within one week of delivery. Anaemia, malnutrition, excessive body water, kidney diseases, liver diseases and hypertension/preeclampsia were the presumed causes of leg oedema during pregnancy. 73% of those who have had the condition had sought treatment for it outside the hospital.The low prevalence rate of this condition as well as its presumed association with ill-health could explain why the few women who develop the condition consider it abnormal. Its excellent prognosis supports reassurance as adequate management for the condition. Reassurance should, however be preceded by adequate counselling to dissuade the women from receiving potentially harmful medications for this condition.