TITLE:
Maternal Mortality in the Context of Targeted Free Maternal Healthcare at the Regional Hospital Center of Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire
AUTHORS:
Djanhan Lydie Estelle, Menin-Messou Benie Michelle, Kouadio Kouadio Narcisse, Doukouré Valouwa, Samaké Yaya, Clausen M’broh Gerogie, Boko Dagoun Dagbessé Elysée, Camara Sokhona, Kouakou Kouamé Privat, Doumbia Yacouba
KEYWORDS:
Targeted Free Services, Obstetric Hemorrhage, Maternal Mortality, Poor Prenatal Care, Blood Products, Ivory Coast
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Reproductive Sciences,
Vol.14 No.2,
March
4,
2026
ABSTRACT: Objective: Describe trends, causes, and factors associated with maternal mortality. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study conducted in the gynecology and obstetrics department of the Yamoussoukro Regional Hospital Center. The study took place over a period of 5 years, from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020. All patients who died in the gynecology-obstetrics department of the Yamoussoukro CHR and met the WHO definition were included in the study. Data entry and analysis of the results were performed using EpiInfo 7 software. Results: The maternal mortality rate was 485.8 per 100,000 live births. The maternal mortality ratio was 492.9 in 2016 compared to 695.4 in 2020, representing a growth rate of 202.5%. The average age was 30 years, and the 26 - 30 age group was the most common, accounting for 26.3%. Women without any level of education represented 60.2%, and 45.1% were single. In 44.4%, they had no income-generating activity. Women had between 1 and 3 prenatal consultations (PNC) in 55.6%. Multiparous women were the most numerous, at 30.3%. Deaths mainly occurred in the immediate postpartum period (71.4%), and direct obstetric causes accounted for 89.5%, with obstetric hemorrhage dominating at 63.2%. Poor prenatal care and lack of blood products were associated with deaths, at 64.7% and 40.6%, respectively. Conclusion: Maternal mortality was increasing at the Yamoussoukro Regional Hospital. The direct causes of death were predominant, with obstetric hemorrhage as the main cause. Poor prenatal care and the lack of blood products were associated with the deaths.