Maternal deaths: Initial report of an on-going monitoring of maternal deaths at the Federal Medical Centre Katsina, Northwest Nigeria
Date
2013
Authors
Okusanya, BO
Aigere, EOS
Abe, A
Ibrahim, HM
Salawu, RA
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
Abstract
Objectives: To assess the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) from data collected as maternal deaths occurred over a 4-year period.
Methods: A Departmental database established in 2008 was used to keep data on deliveries and maternal deaths as they occurred. The causes of death were decided after a meeting reviewed the case. Analysis was done using Microsoft Excel software and results presented in means and frequencies.
Results: Eight thousand two hundred and twenty live deliveries that occurred were complicated by 68 maternal deaths. The MMR was 827/100 000 live births. The MMR for unbooked women was four times higher than for booked women. Obstetric haemorrhage was the main (21.6%) direct cause of death followed by preeclampsia/eclampsia (18.9%). While anaemia was the leading (8.1%) indirect cause of death, tetanus in the puerperium reared its head as an emerging (5.4%) indirect cause of maternal death. None of the women ever used contraceptives. Most deaths occurred in teenage mothers (23.5%), unbooked women (86%) and in the postpartum period (69%).
Conclusion: The MMR was high and tetanus in puerperium emerged as an indirect cause of maternal deaths. There is a need to curb the emergence of tetanus in the puerperium as a cause of maternal death.
Description
Scholarly article
Keywords
Maternal mortality , tetanus in pregnancy , maternal death , Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE::Surgery::Obstetrics and women's diseases
Citation
Okusanya BO, Aigere EOS, Abe A, Ibrahim HM, Salawu RA. Maternal deaths: Initial report of an on-going monitoring of maternal deaths at the Federal Medical Centre Katsina, Northwest Nigeria. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2013; 26(9):885-8