Maternal mortality ratio in selected rural communities in Kebbi State, Northwest Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundMaternal mortality remains a topical issue in Nigeria. Dearth of data on vital events posed a huge challenge to policy formulation and design of interventions to address the scourge. This study estimated the lifetime risk (LTR) of maternal death and maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in rural areas of Kebbi State, northwest Nigeria, using the sisterhood method.MethodsUsing the sisterhood method, data was collected from 2917 women aged 15–49 years from randomly selected rural communities in 6 randomly selected local government area of Kebbi State. Retrospective cohort of their female siblings who had reached the childbearing age of 15 years was constructed. Using the most recent total fertility rate for Kebbi State, the lifetime risk and associated MMR were estimated.ResultA total of 2917 women reported 8233 female siblings of whom 409 had died and of whom 204 (49.8%) were maternal deaths. This corresponds to an LTR of 6% (referring to 11 years before the study) and an estimated MMR of 890 deaths/100,000 live births (95% CI, 504–1281).ConclusionThe findings provide baseline information on the MMR in rural areas of the State. It underscores the need to urgently address the bane of high maternity mortality, if Kebbi State and Nigeria in general, will achieve the health for all by year 2030 as stated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12884-018-2125-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A review of postpartum hemorrhage in low‐income countries and implications for strengthening health systems

“…In addition to being the most common cause of maternal deaths, PPH is responsible for considerable maternal morbidity. Up to 10% of all deliveries are affected by PPH, and 17% of PPH cases result in morbidity, including significant organ impairment for some women 1,2,8,9,11‐17 . Maternal death and disability have long‐lasting negative consequences for children, families, and communities 15 …”

“…Up to 10% of all deliveries are affected by PPH, and 17% of PPH cases result in morbidity, including significant organ impairment for some women. 1,2,8,9,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Maternal death and disability have long-lasting negative consequences for children, families, and communities. 15 Postpartum hemorrhage is unpredictable.…”

“…1,2,8,9,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Maternal death and disability have long-lasting negative consequences for children, families, and communities. 15 Postpartum hemorrhage is unpredictable. Quality care of women with PPH requires early diagnosis and urgent intervention, both of which depend on responsive systems of emergency care, available commodities, medication and equipment, skilled emergency obstetric care providers, and rapid access to comprehensive emergency obstetric care.…”

Subnational estimates of maternal mortality in Nigeria: Analysis of female siblings’ survivorship histories.

“…This means that women of reproductive years are more exposed to the risk of child-bearing in these regions. It is also known that these regions are socially conservative and have practices of early girl-marriages most especially in their rural regions, which can be found largely in northern areas compared to the south (17).…”

Improving Healthcare Access for the Underserved in Northern Nigeria: Can the Patent Medicine Vendors (PMVs) Really Help?

“…. The situation is much worse in the northern parts of Nigeria, where the maternal mortality ratio was estimated to be as high as 890 deaths per 100 000 live births [6]. The report on the National Demographic and Health Survey.…”