TITLE:
Factors Associated with Post-Cesarean Maternal Mortality in the Dassa-Glazoué Health Zone, Benin, from 2020 To 2024
AUTHORS:
Ingrid Bénédicte Olowo, Aurelle Yeyinou Ahouingnan, Fanny Nm Hounkponou, Merveille Ahoboko, Akpona Simon
KEYWORDS:
Maternal Mortality, Post-Cesarean Complications, Dassa-Glazoué Health Zone (Benin), 2020-2024
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.16 No.3,
March
3,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Cesarean section provides enhanced safety in high-risk pregnancies, thereby preventing numerous deaths; however, it also exposes women to an increased risk of postoperative complications and even death. Objective: To investigate factors associated with post-cesarean maternal mortality in the Dassa-Glazoué health zone (Zone Hospital and Abbraccio Hospital). Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional analytical study conducted from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2024. All women who delivered by cesarean section were included. Incomplete or unusable medical records, as well as records of women who underwent cesarean delivery elsewhere and were subsequently referred, were excluded. The sampling exhaustive was used. Data were collected using KoboCollect from June 18 to July 20, 2025, and analyzed with Epi Info version 7. Frequency measures and bivariate analyses were performed to identify associated factors. Chi-square (χ2) and Fisher’s exact tests were applied as appropriate. Text processing was carried out using Microsoft Word 2016, and tables and graphs were produced using Microsoft Excel 2016. Results: A total of 2771 women were included, among whom 20 post-cesarean maternal deaths were recorded, corresponding to a frequency of 0.72%. A total of 10,924 live births were registered, yielding a post-cesarean maternal mortality ratio of 183 per 100,000 live births. The mean age of the deceased women was 29.95 ± 6.62 years, with extremes ranging from 19 to 44 years. The main factors significantly associated with post-cesarean maternal mortality were age (p = 0.015), eclampsia (p = 0.030), anemia (p Conclusion: Strengthening emergency obstetric care is essential, particularly through raising awareness about the importance of early referral and timely hospital care.