Maternal mortality in Northern Nigeria: a population-based study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence and causes of maternal mortality as well as its temporal distribution over the last decade (1990-1999).


METHODS
All maternal deaths recorded within the study period in the State of Kano, Northern Nigeria, were analyzed. Maternal mortality ratios (MMR) were computed using the Poisson assumption to derive confidence intervals around the estimates. A non-linear regression model was fitted to obtain the best temporal trajectory for MMR across the decade of study.


RESULTS
A total of 4154 maternal deaths occurred among 171,621 deliveries, yielding an MMR of 2420 deaths per 100,000. Eclampsia, ruptured uterus and anemia were responsible for about 50% of maternal deaths.


CONCLUSIONS
We found one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world. Maternal mortality could be reduced by half at study site with effective interventions targeted to prevent deaths from eclampsia, ruptured uterus and anemia.
Adamu
Yusuf M
YM
Department of Geography, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
Salihu
Hamisu M
HM
Sathiakumar
Nalini
N
Alexander
Greg R
GR
D000740:Anemia / Q000401:mortality*; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008428:Maternal Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000401:mortality*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014597:Uterine Rupture / Q000401:mortality*