title: Improving maternal mortality at a university teaching hospital in Nnewi, Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact of the introduction of the Service Compact with all Nigerians (SERVICOM) contract on maternal health at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective and comparative study of maternal deaths between 2004 and 2010 was carried out. The main outcome measures were yearly maternal mortality ratio (MMR), relative risk (RR) of maternal mortality, and presentation-intervention interval. The yearly MMR and the RR of maternal mortality were compared with the figures from 2004, which represented the pre-SERVICOM era.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 4916 live births and 54 maternal deaths during the study period, giving an MMR of 1098 per 100,000 live births. Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia was the most common direct cause (25.0%), followed by hemorrhage (18.8%) and sepsis (8.3%). Anemia (12.5%) was the most common indirect cause. There was a progressive reduction in MMR and RR of maternal mortality, with a corresponding increase in live births. The presentation-intervention interval improved significantly from 2006.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A positive change in the attitude of health workers and the elimination of fee-for-service in emergency obstetric care would reduce type 3 delays in public health facilities, and consequently reduce maternal mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria. tigwegbe@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Anthony O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Igwegbe
authors.forename: George U
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Eleje
authors.forename: Joseph O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Ugboaja
authors.forename: Robinson O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Ofiaeli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000401:mortality*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult