The PAPAGAIO and CRIBS Global team had a busy week of marking World Pre-eclampsia Day and week across the globe in Sierra Leone, Zambia, India and Brazil with a variety of activities, talks, distribution of fliers, measuring blood pressure, testimonials from pre-eclampsia survivors on radio, panel discussions, marches, discussions on symptoms and signs and a well-attended global webinar.
In Sierra Leone, the CRIBS Global/ CRADLE SMART/PAPAGAIO team engaged with women in the marketplace, reflected in the following data:
- 509 blood pressures were taken in one morning
- 13% had blood pressures of more than 160/100
- 43% had blood pressures of more than 140/90
- 58 of the 509 women were pregnant
- 80% of the pregnant women had not had any antenatal care engagement
This snapshot indicates that the community engagement approach is the way forward.
In India, as part of World Pre-Eclampsia Day, the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, PGIMER & Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar, conducted a public awareness programme to promote early identification and timely management of pre-eclampsia during pregnancy. The programme was attended by senior and junior faculty members, senior residents, postgraduate and diploma students, nursing staff, pregnant women, their caregivers, and research unit staff, along with other departmental staff members. Activities included expert awareness talks, pamphlet distribution, patient interaction sessions, and a street play performed by first-year PGs to educate participants through interactive engagement. 
Key topics discussed included the signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia, the importance of regular antenatal check-ups and blood pressure monitoring, early detection during ANC visits, risks associated with delayed diagnosis, and the importance of timely referral to tertiary care centres for effective management.
As part of the World Pre-Eclampsia Day awareness initiative, the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Shri B. M. Patil Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Vijayapura, in association with the Women’s and Children’s Health Research Unit, BLDE (DU), Vijayapura, conducted a public awareness radio talk on BLDE Dhwani 98.6 FM today. The talk was delivered by Dr Jyoti Lokapur, Faculty, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, focusing on the importance of early detection and timely management of preeclampsia to ensure maternal and fetal well-being. The session was discussed in the local language (Kannada) to effectively reach and educate the community and general public.
During the radio session, awareness was created regarding:
* Early signs and symptoms of preeclampsia
* Importance of regular antenatal check-ups
* Blood pressure monitoring during pregnancy
* Risks associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment
* Need for timely medical consultation and institutional care.
The Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, in association with the Women’s and Children’s Health Research Unit, JNMC, conducted a Public Awareness radio talk on KLE Venudhwani 90.4 FM for World Pre-eclampsia Day.
The awareness talk was delivered by Dr M.B.Bellad, Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, JNMC and Site PI, PAPAGAIO STUDY, focusing on the importance of early detection and effective management of Pre-eclampsia.
During the radio interview, Prof Bellad covered:
- What is Pre-eclampsia
- Early Signs and symptoms of Pre-eclampsia
- Various methods to detect Pre-eclampsia during antenatal check-ups
- Importance of blood pressure monitoring during pregnancy.
- Risks associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment.
- Prompt referral from the periphery to the tertiary care services for effective management.
- Brief note on PLGF testing.
Scenes from Zambia’s Pre-Eclampsia celebrations:
