TITLE:
Factors Associated with Perinatal Mortality in the Maternity Unit of the Regional Hospital of Mamou (Level II) in Guinea
AUTHORS:
Ibrahima Koussy Bah, Boubacar Alpha Diallo, Ousmane Balde, Alpha Yaya Barry, Alpha Ibrahima Balde, Idrissa Balde, Abdourahamane Diallo, Telly Sy
KEYWORDS:
Associated Factors, Perinatal Mortality, Mamou Regional Hospital
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.15 No.9,
September
19,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Perinatal mortality is defined as any death occurring after the 22nd week of gestation (stillbirth) or within 7 days of birth (early neonatal mortality). This study aims to assess the perinatal mortality rate and to determine the causes and risk factors associated with perinatal death. Methodology: This was a prospective, descriptive and analytical observational study, conducted from May 1 to August 1, 2023, at the Level II Maternity Unit of the Mamou Regional Hospital. All stillbirths of at least 22 weeks’ gestational age and weighing ≥ 500 g, and those who died within seven (7) days of birth, were included. Data were entered and analyzed using Epi-info software, Version 7.2.2.6. Informed consent was obtained from the patients. Anonymity and confidentiality were respected. Results: During this study, 483 births were recorded, among which we identified 83 perinatal deaths, i.e. a perineal mortality rate of 172 per 1000 live births; we recorded 46 stillbirths, i.e. 55.42% against 44.58% of early perinatal deaths, i.e. twenty deaths in less than 24 hours of life (54.05%). Half of the births had mothers whose age was between 15 and 24 years, i.e. 51.1%; the average age was 24.88+/−2 years with extremes of 14 and 43 years. They were married mothers (98.8%), housewives (68.5%), and uneducated (66.4%). The type of pregnancy, inter-birth space (OR = 0.19 CI [0.09 - 0.40] p = 0.00), anemia in the mother (OR = 0.38 CI [0.19 - 0.76] p = 0.008), gestational age (OR = 7.7 CI [3.7 - 16.6] p = 0.00) and birth weight (OR = 1.9 CI [5.79 - 24.62] p = 0.00) were statistically associated with early perinatal death. The causes were dominated by acute fetal distress (38.60%) followed by low birth weight (21.68%). Conclusion: Perinatal mortality, a good indicator of child health, is a real problem in the poorest populations of each country. Improving the perinatal mortality rate in its various components requires strict prenatal monitoring by providing advice on family planning and labor, raising awareness of the benefits of iron supplementation, and providing adequate care for problematic newborns, taking into account the factors that influence it.