Risk factors for maternal mortality: results of a case-control study conducted in Conakry (Guinea).
OBJECTIVE
To assess the risk factors of maternal mortality in an urban area of West Africa (Conakry, capital of Guinea).


METHODS
A case-control study where 102 maternal deaths were compared with 338 control women who had given birth and survived, during 1 year (from July 1, 1989 to June 30, 1990).


RESULTS
Of all the socio-demographic variables studied, only a low family income (R = 2.6; 1.1-6.5) was found to be a risk factor for maternal death In the obstetrical part of the survey, neither parity nor the number or location of pre-natal consultations constituted risk factors. However, the presence during pregnancy or delivery of signs of infection (R = 3.7; 1.4-9.8), anemia (R = 2.1; 1.1-4.1), hypertension (R = 19.8; 5.8-67.8) and dystocia (R = 9.0; 3.7-21.5) were found to be the main predictive risk factors of maternal death. The maternal mortality risk was multiplied by 12 if the women had had a cesarean section, and by 4 in the case of complications in the post-partum period.


CONCLUSIONS
To achieve substantial reductions in maternal mortality levels, work must be done on these specific risk factors, and future programs must urgently be concentrated on a higher standard of pre-natal monitoring, obstetrical emergency facilities and training of obstetrical staff.
National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) Unit no 292, Paris, France.
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P
Thonneau
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Touré
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Cantrelle
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TM
Barry
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Papiernik
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015982:Bias; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D016701:Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors