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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
"No one's explained that this is going to happen to me": Enhancing health literacy and addressing women’s knowledge gaps on long-term health after hypertensive pregnancy
1
University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Health - Midwifery, Ultimo - NSW, Australia
2
University of New South Wales UNSW, School of Clinical Medicine- Faculty of Medicine & Health, Ultimo - NSW, Australia
3
St George Hospital, Women’s and Children’s Health, Sydney, Australia
4
Burnet Institute, Maternal- Child and Adolescent Health, Melbourne, Australia
5
Liverpool Hospital, Renal Medicine, Sydney, Australia
6
The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Ultimo - NSW, Australia
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A51
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) affect 5-10% of all pregnant women. These women have 2-3 times increased risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes, as soon as 5-10 years after pregnancy. This risk persists lifelong and puts women at risk of premature disease and death. Previous findings suggest low knowledge levels amongst women and healthcare providers (HCP) about post-HDP health and long-term risks. Transition from maternity to primary healthcare has been found to be suboptimal, contributing to knowledge gaps.
OBJECTIVES:
This study explored women’s perceptions of a post-HDP educational package with follow-up prompts.
METHODS:
As part of a wider mixed-methods study, women with prior HDP engaged with a personalised online educational platform and completed three surveys over one year. Following completion at 12 months postpartum, participants were invited to take part in a semi-structured interview. These explored views on content relevance, delivery format, reminder systems, and the role of education shared by their primary HCP. Data were analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
Twenty-one women participated in semi-structured interviews, with three key themes emerging: "Processing past versus future health capacity post-HDP diagnosis" "Transitioning to parenthood" and "Accessing comprehensive evidence-based information". The first theme reflected women’s evolving understanding of HDP and its long-term implications, prompting greater engagement with preventive health. The second theme highlighted how parenting demands influenced the uptake of postpartum education. The third theme underscored the value women placed on accessible, trustworthy resources to enhance their knowledge and support informed health decisions.
CONCLUSIONS:
Aligning targeted educational interventions and follow-up resources with women’s preferences, well-being post-HDP and challenges of transition to parenthood, effectively enhanced women's knowledge, health literacy, and health management post-HDP.
KEY MESSAGE:
Access to tailored education and follow-up support post-HDP helped women feel empowered and take greater ownership of their long-term health, enhancing health literacy, engagement with HCP, and proactive risk management. Complications - hypertension
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) affect 5-10% of all pregnant women. These women have 2-3 times increased risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes, as soon as 5-10 years after pregnancy. This risk persists lifelong and puts women at risk of premature disease and death. Previous findings suggest low knowledge levels amongst women and healthcare providers (HCP) about post-HDP health and long-term risks. Transition from maternity to primary healthcare has been found to be suboptimal, contributing to knowledge gaps.
OBJECTIVES:
This study explored women’s perceptions of a post-HDP educational package with follow-up prompts.
METHODS:
As part of a wider mixed-methods study, women with prior HDP engaged with a personalised online educational platform and completed three surveys over one year. Following completion at 12 months postpartum, participants were invited to take part in a semi-structured interview. These explored views on content relevance, delivery format, reminder systems, and the role of education shared by their primary HCP. Data were analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
Twenty-one women participated in semi-structured interviews, with three key themes emerging: "Processing past versus future health capacity post-HDP diagnosis" "Transitioning to parenthood" and "Accessing comprehensive evidence-based information". The first theme reflected women’s evolving understanding of HDP and its long-term implications, prompting greater engagement with preventive health. The second theme highlighted how parenting demands influenced the uptake of postpartum education. The third theme underscored the value women placed on accessible, trustworthy resources to enhance their knowledge and support informed health decisions.
CONCLUSIONS:
Aligning targeted educational interventions and follow-up resources with women’s preferences, well-being post-HDP and challenges of transition to parenthood, effectively enhanced women's knowledge, health literacy, and health management post-HDP.
KEY MESSAGE:
Access to tailored education and follow-up support post-HDP helped women feel empowered and take greater ownership of their long-term health, enhancing health literacy, engagement with HCP, and proactive risk management. Complications - hypertension
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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