Olamijulo JA, Olorunfemi G, Okunola H. Trends and causes of maternal death at the Lagos University teaching hospital, Lagos, Nigeria (2007-2019).
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022;
22:360. [PMID:
35468759 PMCID:
PMC9036837 DOI:
10.1186/s12884-022-04649-4]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Nigeria has one of the worst global maternal mortality ratios (MMR). Institutional audit is invaluable in providing useful information for formulating preventive interventions.
Objective
To evaluate the trends, causes and socio-demographic characteristics of maternal mortality at a tertiary institution in South-western Nigeria over a period of 13 years (2007–2019).
Methodology
Cross sectional and temporal trend analysis of maternal deaths were conducted using chart reviews from 2007 to 2019. Socio-biological characteristics, booking status and ranking of clinical causes of maternal deaths were derived from patients’ chart review (2007–2019). Bivariate analysis and Annual percent change (APC) of the observed trends was respectively conducted using Stata version 17 and Joinpoint version 4.5.0.1 software respectively.
Results
In the period 2007–2019, the mean age at maternal death was 30.8 ± 5.9 years and 88.8% of mortalities occurred among the “unbooked” women. The leading causes of direct maternal mortality were Hypertension (27.0%), Sepsis (20.6%) and haemorrhage (18.7%), while anaemia in pregnancy (3.2%), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (3.2%) and Sickle Cell Disease (2.4%) were the leading indirect causes of maternal mortality Joinpoint estimates showed a statistically significant increase in MMR of about 3.4% per annum from 2211 per 100,000 live births in 2007 to 3555.6 per 100,000 live births in 2019 (APC: +3.4%, P-value < 0.001).
Conclusion
Contrary to some other reports, there was an increase in the institutional MMR between 2007 and 2019 even though the leading causes of death remained similar. Targeted interventions based on accurate data are urgently required in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1.
Supplementary Information
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-022-04649-4.
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