Findings from landscape analysis in Cross River on pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

Maternal and newborn deaths due to pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E) are preventable, yet in Nigeria this is the most significant direct cause of maternal deaths. To appreciate the enormity of this problem at country and state levels, a landscape analysis was conducted by the Population Council in 2015 on PE/E in seven states in Nigeria. This brief presents results for Cross River State and details findings on facility capacity and preparedness, service provider knowledge and skills, quality of care, community knowledge and perceptions, and survivors’ experiences. The brief recommends increasing community awareness of the condition, improving antenatal care quality, and scaling up proven best practices to prevent pre-eclampsia’s escalation to severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. By detecting and managing pre-eclampsia, Ending Eclampsia can improve the survival rate of women and babies in Nigeria and other developing countries