Back to Journals » International Journal of Women's Health » Volume 5

High maternal and neonatal mortality rates in northern Nigeria: an 8-month observational study

Authors Guerrier G, Oluyide B, Keramarou M, Grais R

Received 13 May 2013

Accepted for publication 13 June 2013

Published 13 August 2013 Volume 2013:5 Pages 495—499

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S48179

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 3



Gilles Guerrier,1 Bukola Oluyide,2 Maria Keramarou,1 Rebecca Grais1

1Epicentre, Paris, France; 2Médecins Sans Frontières, Paris, France

Background: Despite considerable efforts to reduce the maternal mortality ratio, numerous pregnant women continue to die in many developing countries, including Nigeria. We conducted a study to determine the incidence and causes of maternal mortality over an 8-month period in a rural-based secondary health facility located in Jahun, northern Nigeria.
Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed in a 41-bed obstetric ward. From October 2010 to May 2011, demographic data, obstetric characteristics, and outcome were collected from all pregnant women admitted. The total number of live births during the study period was recorded in order to calculate the maternal mortality ratio.
Results: There were 2,177 deliveries and 39 maternal deaths during the study period, with a maternal mortality ratio of 1,791/100,000 live births. The most common causes of maternal mortality were hemorrhage (26%), puerperal sepsis (19%), and obstructed labor (5%). No significant difference (P = 0.07) in mean time to reach the hospital was noted between fatal cases (1.9 hours, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–2.6) and nonfatal cases (1.4 hours, 95% CI 1.4–1.5). Two hundred and sixty-six women were admitted presenting with stillbirth. Maternal mortality was higher for unbooked patients than for booked patients (odds ratio 5.1, 95% CI 3.5–6.2, P < 0.0001). The neonatal mortality rate was calculated at 46/1,000 live births. The main primary causes of neonatal deaths were prematurity (44%) and birth asphyxia (22%).
Conclusion: Maternal and neonatal mortality remains unacceptably high in this setting. Reducing unbooked emergencies should be a priority with continuous programs including orthodox practices in order to meet the fifth Millennium Development Goal.

Keywords: fetal mortality, maternal mortality, Nigeria, antenatal care


Creative Commons License © 2013 The Author(s). This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.