Study of maternal mortality in the context of free healthcare: about 187 cases at the Bogodogo university hospital, Burkina Faso

Abstract

Objective: To study maternal deaths in the context of free care in the gynecology-obstetrics and reproductive medicine department at the Bogodogo University Hospital from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2021.

Patients and methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data collection was retrospective. All cases meeting the WHO definition of maternal death were included in the study. The variables of the study consisted of socio-demographic characteristics, clinical aspects, causes of factors associated with maternal deaths.

Results: The maternal mortality ratio was 1102.7 per 100,000 live births. The average age of deceased patients was 27.8 ± 7.6 years. Housewives accounted for 71% of cases. Patients who died without schooling accounted for 71% of cases. Evacuated patients accounted for 84.6% of cases. In 80.5% of cases, the pregnancy was in the 3rd trimester. Death occurred after childbirth in 72.6% of cases. Patients who died during on-call accounted for 67.3% of cases. Patients had died less than 24 hours after admission in 52.4% of cases. Direct obstetric causes accounted for 71% of the overall maternal death rate and were dominated by haemorrhages, hypertension complications and infections. Contributing factors were dominated by the long delay to referral.

Conclusion : Despite free healthcare measures, the intra-hospital maternal mortality ratio is still high.