Abstract:
Background: Eclampsia is a major cause of maternal and perinatal mortality that requires advanced care and long hospital stays with uncertain outcomes for mother and baby. The care of eclamptic women is particularly challenging in low-income countries. To optimize care and costs, health care providers need knowledge on medical, emotional, and social aspects of care for women with eclampsia. Standards for medical care for eclampsia are established but the psychosocial needs of women are under-researched.
Objectives: To explore and describe the experience of women recovered from an eclampsia attack at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital North West, Ethiopia, 2021.
Methods: A phenomenological study design was conducted with 10 women recovered from an eclamptic attack between March 1 to April 15, 2021. The sample size was declared depending on the level of saturation. Participants were selected using a homogeneous purposive sampling technique. The data were collected using an in-depth interview technique with the aid of an audio recorder and a semi-structured interview guide by the principal investigator. The women were interviewed about their experience of eclampsia attack at discharge time. The collected data was transcribed word by word and translated conceptually. Finally, the translated data were imported to Atlas.tiTM-7 software for coding and analyzed using thematic analysis approach and then made synthesis (themes).
Result: In this study, the women had experienced severe pain, loss of consciousness, seizure, and unable to control their bodies. The women connected the experience to super-natural power (God) and they were grateful for being recovered. Women were satisfied by the health care service they received and forwarded gratefulness to health care providers and their families. However, they expressed fear of future pregnancy due to the possible re-occurrence of eclampsia.
Conclusion: The experience of women recovering from eclampsia involved a life-threatening, multidimensional experience. Provision of prompt and adequate service for women and their families including appropriate information to eclamptic women and their families reduce their anxiety, fear of future pregnancy, and facilitate quick recovery.
Keywords: Phenomenology, Eclampsia, Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, and Ethiopia