MATERNAL MORTALITY AT THE STATE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL BAUCHI NORTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Objective: To analyse and document our experiences with maternal mortality with the

view of fi nding the trends over the last seven years, common causes and attributing

socio-demographic factors.

Design: A prospective analysis of maternal mortality

Setting: State Specialists Hospital Bauchi, Bauchi Northeastern Nigeria

Main outcome measures: These include maternal mortality ratio for the period under

review and the annual trends, age and party most affected the direct and indirect

causes of maternal mortality in our environment.

Results: The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) for the period under review was 1, 732

per 100, 000 live births. Six hundred and twenty one of the deaths (81.0%) occurred

in 12,067 unbooked deliveries giving a maternal mortality ratio of 5,146 per 100,000

for unbooked mothers. This ratio is approximately eleven times that obtained in

booked live deliveries. Age range was 14-44 years and the mean age was 27.8 years.

The highest maternal death was in the adolescent mothers. The primigravidas had

the highest maternal mortality of 28.9%. The direct obstetric causes of maternal death

accounted for 79.4% of the deaths. The major causes of deaths were eclampsia 31.9%,

haemorrhage 19.2% and sepsis 10.4%. Amongst the indirect causes of maternal death,

anaemia was the leading cause accounting for 12.1%. The annual MMR was highest

for the year 2006 (2,586 per 100,000).

Conclusion: Maternal mortality is unacceptably high in our environment. The provision

of more health facilities where basic and comprehensive antenatal care are provided,

skilled attendants at birth, community mobilisation to improve antenatal attendance

and the use of TBAs as a link between the pregnant women, families and communities

providing important messages for a healthy pregnancy, and safe birth remain the

bedrock of containing maternal mortality in our environment.