Analysis of Maternal Deaths in Suburban of Dakar, Senegal

Abstract

Objective: Maternal mortality remains a major concern in developing countries. This survey aims to suggest strategic plans that would help decrease maternal and perinatal mortality in the suburbs. It is a descriptive study that shows the different causes of maternal deaths during pregnancy and puerperium period. Methods: It is a retrospective descriptive study done between January 1st 2016 and the 31st of December 2018. We have collected information on all deaths due to mortality issues in Five (5) maternity clinics around Dakar. The record shows that teach centre have an average of 4000 deliveries per year. The data collected from the hospital records were inputted using Sphinx software (version 5). These data were analysed using Epi Info software (version 3.5). After analysing these data, recommendations were made to minimize the different causes of maternal deaths. Results: We recorded 154 maternal deaths out of 32,420 live births. The direct causes of maternal deaths were a result of preeclampsia and its complications (31.2%), postpartum haemorrhage (24.7%), abruption placentae (20.8%) and obstructed labour (7.8%). The indirect causes were mainly sickle cell disease (1.3%), heart disease (1.3%) and gynaecological cancers (1.3%). Maternal deaths were also associated with fetal loss in 47.4% of 153 maternal deaths, need for blood transfusion 59% while none of the reference structures in the suburbs of Dakar has a blood bank; with a need for admission in intensive care unit was noted as 40%. Conclusion: Thus, preeclampsia and its complications are the leading cause of maternal deaths in suburban settings. Timely availability of resuscitation units and liable blood products could drastically reduce maternal deaths from direct obstetric complications.