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Improving maternal mortality at a university teaching hospital in Nnewi, Nigeria
Author(s) -
Igwegbe Anthony O.,
Eleje George U.,
Ugboaja Joseph O.,
Ofiaeli Robinson O.
Publication year - 2012
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.2011.10.023
Subject(s) - medicine , nigerians , standardized mortality ratio , eclampsia , public health , relative risk , obstetrics , maternal death , pediatrics , maternal mortality rate , health facility , pregnancy , demography , population , environmental health , confidence interval , health services , nursing , sociology , biology , political science , law , genetics
Objective To evaluate the impact of the introduction of the Service Compact with all Nigerians (SERVICOM) contract on maternal health at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria. Methods A retrospective and comparative study of maternal deaths between 2004 and 2010 was carried out. The main outcome measures were yearly maternal mortality ratio (MMR), relative risk (RR) of maternal mortality, and presentation–intervention interval. The yearly MMR and the RR of maternal mortality were compared with the figures from 2004, which represented the pre‐SERVICOM era. Results There were 4916 live births and 54 maternal deaths during the study period, giving an MMR of 1098 per 100 000 live births. Pre‐eclampsia/eclampsia was the most common direct cause (25.0%), followed by hemorrhage (18.8%) and sepsis (8.3%). Anemia (12.5%) was the most common indirect cause. There was a progressive reduction in MMR and RR of maternal mortality, with a corresponding increase in live births. The presentation–intervention interval improved significantly from 2006. Conclusion A positive change in the attitude of health workers and the elimination of fee‐for‐service in emergency obstetric care would reduce type 3 delays in public health facilities, and consequently reduce maternal mortality.