Obstetric mortality in a Nigerian general hospital.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to evaluate the progress towards achieving a 50% reduction in maternal mortality by the year 2000 at a referral hospital.


METHODS
A retrospective review of births and maternal deaths over an 18-year period from 1981 to 1998.


RESULTS
There was a 30% reduction among booked women in the period 1990-1998 compared to 1981-1989 while only 8% reduction was achieved among referred women. Infection and hypertensive disorders remained the leading causes of death but the contribution of haemorrhage declined due to improved blood transfusion services.


CONCLUSIONS
Further improvement in maternal survival can be achieved by training health personnel involved in maternity care to recognise or anticipate complications early and refer.
Nkwocha
G C
GC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Nigeria.
Anya
S E
SE
Anya
A E
AE
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008428:Maternal Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000401:mortality*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis