TITLE:
Analysis of Maternal Deaths in Suburban of Dakar, Senegal
AUTHORS:
Abdoul Aziz Diouf, Omar Gassama, Moussa Diallo, Mohamed T. Diadhiou, Simon Birame Ndour, Mamour Gueye, Alassane Diouf
KEYWORDS:
Maternal Mortality, Preeclampsia, Haemorrhage, Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.11 No.5,
May
18,
2021
ABSTRACT: Objective: Maternal mortality remains a major concern in developing countries. This
survey aims to suggest strategic plans that would help decrease maternal and
perinatal mortality in the suburbs. It is a descriptive study that shows the
different causes of maternal deaths during pregnancy and puerperium period. Methods: It is a retrospective descriptive study done between January 1st 2016 and the 31st of December 2018. We have collected information on
all deaths due to mortality issues in Five (5) maternity clinics around Dakar.
The record shows that teach centre have an average of 4000 deliveries per year.
The data collected from the hospital records were inputted using Sphinx
software (version 5). These data were analysed using Epi Info software (version
3.5). After analysing these data, recommendations were made to minimize the
different causes of maternal deaths. Results: We recorded 154 maternal
deaths out of 32,420 live births. The direct causes of maternal deaths were a
result of preeclampsia and its complications (31.2%), postpartum haemorrhage
(24.7%), abruption placentae (20.8%) and obstructed labour (7.8%). The indirect
causes were mainly sickle cell disease (1.3%), heart disease (1.3%) and
gynaecological cancers (1.3%). Maternal deaths were also associated with fetal
loss in 47.4% of 153 maternal deaths, need for blood transfusion 59% while none
of the reference structures in the suburbs of Dakar has a blood bank; with a
need for admission in intensive care unit was noted as 40%. Conclusion: Thus,
preeclampsia and its complications are the leading cause of maternal deaths in
suburban settings. Timely availability of resuscitation units and liable blood
products could drastically reduce maternal deaths from direct obstetric
complications.