Incidence and causes of maternal mortality in five Kampala Hospitals; 1980-1986

This report presents results of a descriptive study to estimate the mortality rate; identify the type and the causes of maternal deaths. The study was conducted in 1987 in Kampala hospitals for a period covering seven years from 1st January 1980 to 31st December; 1986. The non abortion maternal mortality rate (NAMMR) was 2.65 per 1000 deliveries while the abortion related maternal mortality rate (ARMMR) was 3.58 per 1000 abortions. There was a statistically significant increase in NAMMR was almost significant over the seven year period. of all maternal deaths; 80 per cent were non abortion while 20 per cent were abortion related. The commonest immediate causes of death; in orderof importance; sepsis; haemorrhage; ruptured uterus; anaesthesia and anemia. The commonest patient management factors which contributed to death; in order of importance; were lack of blood for transfusion; lack of drugs and intravenous fluids; theatre problems and doctor related factors. We feel that a lot happens to the pregnant mother before she finally reaches a health unit for delivery and that there is a great need to improve on the community's gynaecological and obstetrical services as well as a mbulance and emergency services. We also feel that maternal mortality in developing countries could be reduced if the health workers were imaginative in respect to each aptient; tried not to operate as though they were working in a developed country; and created relevant solutions for the local problem

Incidence and causes of maternal mortality in five Kampala hospitals; 1980-1986

This report presents results of a descriptive study to estimate the mortality rate; identify the type and the causes of maternal deaths. The study was conducted in 1987 in Kampala hospitals for a period covering seven years from 1st January 1980 to 31st December; 1986. The non abortion maternal mortality rate (NAMMR) was 2.65 per 1000 deliveries while the abortion related maternal mortality rate (ARMMR) was 3.58 per 1000 abortions. There was a statistically significant increase in NAMMR while the increase in ARMMR was almost significant over the seven year period. Of all maternal deaths; 80 per cent were non abortion while 20 per cent were abortion related. The commonest immediate causes of death; in order of importance; were sepsis; haemorrhage; ruptured uterus; anaesthesia and anaemia. The commonest patient management factors which contributed to death; in order of importance; were lack of blood for transfusion; lack of drugs and intravenous fluids; theatre problems and doctor related factors. We feel that a lot happens to the pregnant mother before she finally reaches a health unit for delivery and that there is a great need to improve on the community's gynaecological and obstetrical services as well as ambulance and emergency services. We also feel that maternal mortality in developing countries could be reduced if the health workers were imaginative in respect to each patient; tried not to operate as though they were working in a developed country; and created relevant solutions for the local problems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Risk factors for maternal mortality in five Kampala hospitals; 1980-1986

A case-control study assessing risk factors for maternal mortality was carried out in five Kampala hospitals covering a period of seven years (1 January 1980 to 31 December 1986). The major predictors of maternal mortality were the general condition on admission; the mode of delivery and the Apgar score of the newborn. These predictors indicate that women at high risk were those admitted to hospital for delivery in a poor state of health. We believe that the risk of maternal mortality can be reduced through appropriate action by health workers and that there is a need for a more complete view of risk factors for both maternal and perinatal mortality to be obtained through population-based studies rather than only those women who deliver in hospital