Abe Eghe, Omo-Aghoja Lawrence O
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Central Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
Afr J Reprod Health. 2008 Dec;12(3):17-26.
Maternal mortality remains a major challenge in Nigeria. This retrospective study was conceptualized to document the number and pattern of obstetric deaths at the Central Hospital, Benin City, over a ten year period, to identify common causes of maternal deaths and proffer relevant interventions. The overall maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was 518/100,000. MMR was 30 times higher in unbooked as compared to the booked patients, while 60% of maternal deaths occurred within 24 hours of admission. The leading direct causes of maternal deaths were sepsis, hemorrhage, obstructed labor and preeclampsia/eclampsia, while the major indirect causes are institutional difficulties and anaemia. Low literacy, high poverty levels, extremes of parity and non-utilization of maternity services were associated with maternal mortality. Recommendations are made for public enlightenment campaign and advocacy activities aimed at mobilizing resources for reducing maternal mortality. Also, female education and poverty alleviation programmes will contribute to the reduction of the burden of maternal mortality.
孕产妇死亡率在尼日利亚仍然是一项重大挑战。这项回顾性研究旨在记录贝宁城中心医院十年间产科死亡的数量和模式，确定孕产妇死亡的常见原因并提出相关干预措施。孕产妇总体死亡率（MMR）为518/10万。未登记产妇的MMR比已登记产妇高出30倍，而60%的孕产妇死亡发生在入院后24小时内。孕产妇死亡的主要直接原因是败血症、出血、产程梗阻和先兆子痫/子痫，而主要间接原因是机构困难和贫血。低识字率、高贫困水平、极高的生育胎次以及未利用孕产妇服务与孕产妇死亡率相关。建议开展公众宣传运动和倡导活动，以调动资源降低孕产妇死亡率。此外，女性教育和扶贫计划将有助于减轻孕产妇死亡负担。
