Observational Cross-Sectional Study with Guatemalan Lay Midwives About Acupressure Use for Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is the second leading cause of maternal death in Guatemala, where the maternal mortality rate (MMR) is second highest in Central America. Lay midwives (LMs), who attend most births in their country at home, are forbidden from providing biomedicine to treat disorders, such as preeclampsia. Acupressure, which has been shown to decrease blood pressure, is a promising treatment LMs could offer while transferring hypertensive patients to hospitals, particularly in the remote Peten Department where this study took place.

Educational sessions regarding preeclampsia were held in 11 locations. A total of 179 LMs who participated in the educational sessions were taught six acupressure points to address preeclampsia and given laminated Reminder Cards with culturally appropriate drawings of the acupressure points to reinforce knowledge retention.

Participants experienced a significant increase in knowledge (possible 0-6) from pre-test (M = 0, SD = 0) to post-test (M = 4.29, SD = 1.722), paired t-test p < 0.001. No participants were aware of any acupressure sites on the pre-test (0%) compared with >71% who identified at least one site on the post-test.

Given no participants knew acupressure sites to address preeclampsia before the educational sessions, a change in knowledge is not surprising, yet significant. Providing these well-respected community leaders with tools, such as acupressure, to address preeclampsia could help reduce Guatemala's MMR. Educating LMs about acupressure points to treat other pregnancy-related issues, such as encouraging and discouraging labor, turning breech babies, treating back and labor pain, and nausea and vomiting, would expand the care pregnant patients receive, particularly in remote areas.