Introduction: Arterial hypertension (AH) is a common complication of pregnancy and the postpartum period. It may be complicated by pre-eclampsia or eclampsia and can persist after delivery, increasing the risk of chronic hypertension. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of persistent gravido-puerperal hypertension beyond 3 months postpartum and identify its associated factors.

Methods: A prospective analytical cohort study was conducted among women managed for gravido-puerperal hypertension in the medicine and obstetrics-gynecology departments of the Regional Hospital Center of Kaya. Participants were followed for 3 months after delivery, with blood pressure assessed every two weeks. Hypertension was considered resolved when systolic blood pressure was <140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure <90 mmHg at two consecutive visits two weeks apart. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with persistent hypertension.

Results: A total of 119 women (mean age 26.2 ± 7.7 years) were included. Most were aged 20–30 years (42%), housewives (69.8%), and had no formal education (60.5%). Vaginal delivery occurred in 75.6% of cases, while 49.6% had pre-eclampsia, 10.9% eclampsia, and 29.4% dyslipidemia.

Persistent gravido-puerperal hypertension at 3 months postpartum was observed in 22.7% of participants. Independent predictors of persistence were maternal age >30 years (OR=3.73; 95% CI: 1.26–11.17; p=0.0169), multiparity (>4 deliveries) (OR=4.44; 95% CI: 1.43–14.18; p=0.0100), and pre-eclampsia (OR=3.30; 95% CI: 1.12–10.26; p=0.0260).

Conclusion: Nearly one in four women had persistent hypertension 3 months postpartum. Older maternal age, multiparity, and pre-eclampsia were independent predictors. Targeted postpartum follow-up and early management of high-risk women may help prevent progression to chronic hypertension.

Dr. Guy Hervé Kiswendsida Ouédraogo is a cardiologist, a university hospital instructor at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, and a practicing physician at the Regional Hospital of Kaya in Burkina Faso. He holds a Diploma of Specialized Studies in Cardiology and a Master’s degree in Public Health, (specialy in Health Policy, Planning, and Management), and he fulfills the threefold role of teaching, patient care, and health research.

Early in his career, he practiced in rural areas as chief physician at a community health center with limited diagnostic resources, working closely with communities in sub-Saharan Africa. He held various positions within the Burkinabé health system, notably as a district chief medical officer overseeing more than forty primary-care health facilities, before dedicating himself to cardiology.

The author of several scientific papers, he is interested in the intersection of cardiology and public health. His areas of interest focus particularly on cardiovascular diseases, maternal health, the prevention of cardiovascular risk factors, and improving the quality of care in resource-limited settings.