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Determinants of perinatal mortality in Nigeria
Author(s) -
Fawole Adeniran O.,
Shah Archana,
Tongo Olukemi,
Dara Kabir,
ElLadan Aliyu M.,
Umezulike Augustine C.,
Alu Frank E.,
Eniayewun Ademuyiwa B.,
Fabanwo Adetokunbo O.,
Adewunmi Adeniyi A.,
Adegbola Omololu,
Adebayo Amos A.,
Obaitan Felix O.,
Onala Olanrewaju E.,
Usman Yalwa,
Sullayman Abdulkareem O.,
Kailani Sikiratu,
Sa'id Mohammed
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2011.01.013
Subject(s) - medicine , obstetrics , asphyxia , infant mortality , perinatal mortality , prenatal care , neonatal death , mortality rate , pregnancy , pediatrics , population , fetus , environmental health , biology , genetics
Objective To determine risk factors for perinatal mortality among hospital‐based deliveries in Nigeria. Methods The WHO Global Maternal and Perinatal Health Survey was implemented in Nigeria as a first step in establishing a global system for monitoring maternal and perinatal health. Twenty‐one health facilities with more than 1000 deliveries annually were selected by a stratified multistage cluster sampling strategy. Information was recorded on all women who delivered and their neonates within a 3‐month period. Results Overall, there were 9208 deliveries, comprising 8526 live births, 369 fresh stillbirths, 282 macerated stillbirths, 70 early neonatal deaths, and 721 perinatal deaths. The stillbirth and perinatal mortality rates were, respectively, 71 and 78 per 1000 deliveries; the early neonatal death rate was 8 per 1000 live births. Approximately 10% of all newborns weighed less than 2500 g, and 12.3% were born at less than 37 weeks of gestation. Predictors of perinatal mortality were mother's age, lack of prenatal care, unbooked status, prematurity, and birth asphyxia. Conclusion The perinatal mortality rate remains unacceptably high in Nigeria. Fresh stillbirth accounted for most perinatal deaths. Interventions to improve the utilization and quality of prenatal care, in addition to the quality of intrapartum care, would considerably reduce perinatal death.