HIGH-RISK PREGNANCIES IN URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IN CENTRAL PART OF ETHIOPIA

A survey was conducted in 13 urban kebeles and 13 rural villages to as sess the magnitude of high risk pregnancies. A total of 567 pregnant w omen were included in the study. Of these, 28.6% were younger than 20 or older than 34 years. Early marriage below the age of 20 were report ed by 85%. 21.7% and 22.2% were nulliparous and multiparous women, res pectively. 39.2% were illiterate and 42.9% with a very low income. 14. 6% gave a history of abortion, 13.1% of infant deaths, 6.3% of postpar tum haemorrhage and 1.1% of antepartum haemorrhage. Abnormal height wa s recorded in 18.5%, Albuminuria in, 11.5% and abnormal diastolic bloo d pressure in 12.2%, where 2.9% and 9.2% were classified as pre-eclamp tic and gestational hypertensive. 52.3% were not receiving antenatal c are services. Those who had at least one of the risk factors were 85%. The results from this study indicate the need for increased Family Pl anning services and appropriate training, and use of community health workers.