A Review of Maternal Deaths at Douala General Hospital, Cameroon: The Referral System and Other Contributing Factors
Journal Title: International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health - Year 2015, Vol 8, Issue 3
Abstract
One of the objectives of the fifth Millennium Development Goal [MGD ] is to decrease annually by 5.5% the maternal mortality so as to attain a three- quarter’s reduction of the world’s burden by the year 2015. The health care referral system has been shown to play an important role if this objective is to be attained. The aim of this study was to evaluate the referral system and other contributing factors to maternal deaths. This was a retrospective, descriptive study carried out in the Douala General Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital in Douala, Cameroon. The records of cases of maternal deaths that occurred between 1st January, 2002 and 31st December, 2011 were reviewed. Patients who died on arrival at the hospital were excluded from the study. Data was collected using pre-structured questionnaire and analyzed with EPI-Info version 3.5.1. There were 25 maternal deaths during this period with a maternal mortality ratio of 275 per 100.000 live births. Sixteen (64%) maternal deaths were referred cases from; government health institutions 4 (25%) and private 12 (75%) hospitals in Douala. Most of the patients were between 30-40 years 12 (48%), married 17 (68%), primigravida 12 (48%). The triad of hemorrhage 12 (48%), hypertensive disease in pregnancy 10 (40%) and infection 3 (12%) was responsible for the maternal deaths. Using two indicators to evaluate the referral system, it was observed that only 3 (18, 8%) exploited the referral information system and barely 4(25 %) were transported to the hospital by an ambulance. Maternal mortality remains high in our setting. Most of the causes of maternal death are due to direct obstetric causes which are preventable. The role of referral system in providing health care is poor. Therefore, this aspect of providing health care has to be properly implemented if it is to make an impact in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.
Authors and Affiliations
Gregory Edie Halle Ekane, Fulbert George Nkwele Mangala, Thomas Egbe Obinchemti, Charlotte Tchuente Nguefack, Theophile Nana Njamen, Jacques Tsingaing Kamgaing, Eugene Belley Priso
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP343451
- DOI 10.9734/IJTDH/2015/18111
- Views 121
- Downloads 0
Fecal Calprotectin in Assessment of Ulcerative Colitis Activity
Background: It is important to evaluate the activity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for the treatment. Fecal Calprotectin has been shown to be excellent marker of intestinal inflammation because it is simple, rapid,...
Ionizing Radiation and Redox Balance in Diagnostic Radiology Personnel
Aim: Determine the influence of ionizing radiation on the redox balance of health personnel. Introduction: Ionizing radiation has carcinogenic, genetic and immunological effects, among others. Exposure to low radiation d...
Pyo-adipocytolytic –Necrolysis Subcutis and Pan-necrotizing Subcutis: Unusual Dermato-Pathological Entities, Complications of Injection Abscess Given by Unskilled Personnels- Management and Outcome
Injection abscess are becoming common complications seen in sub-Saharan Africa. The abscess may further become a root for unusual dermato-pathological clinical findings when they are not initially managed...
The Comparative Effect of Experimental Trypanasomosis Infection and Pantizen Treatment on the Haematological Profile of Albino Rats
Objectives: Experimental infections of Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma congolense in albino rats was done to compare their haematologic effects and then treated with Pantizen®, a brand of diminazene aceturate to ascer...
Analysis of the Nutrient Content of Infant Complementary Food Fortificant-Moringa oleifera Leaves with the Commonly Consumed Local Infants Foods in Nigeria: Zea mays and Glycine max
Aims: Analysis of the nutrient content of maize (Zea mays), soybean (Glycine max) and Moringa oleifera leaves commonly consumed by infants in Nigeria were done to determine the nutrient composition of the complementary f...