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  • Title: Incidence and causes of maternal mortality in five Kampala hospitals, 1980-1986.
    Author: Kampikaho A, Irwig LM.
    Journal: East Afr Med J; 1991 Aug; 68(8):624-31. PubMed ID: 1765015.
    Abstract:
    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) Maternal mortality is examined from June 1980 to December 1986 at Mulago, Nsambyo, Old Kampala, Rubaga, and Mengo Hospitals in Kampala, Uganda. Clinical or immediate causes, direct and indirect, were recorded from case summary forms based on ICD9 definitions of obstetric complications. The nonabortion maternal mortality rate (NAMMR) was 2.65/1000 deliveries (580 deaths); the abortion-related maternal mortality rate (ARMMR) was 3.58/1000 abortions. The hospital maternal mortality rate was 2.0/1000 deliveries. 75% of maternal deaths of women of 28 weeks' gestation or more had delivered outside the hospital. NAMMR doubled between 1980-86, a statistically significant increase. ARMMR increases were almost significant. 75% were direct obstetric and 21% were indirect obstetric causes. 38% had clinical anemia, 29% had some sepsis, 18% had substantial bleeding, and 14% had obstructed labor. Other contributing conditions were pneumonia, ruptured uterus, laparotomy, evacuations and curettage, malaria, preeclampsia, sickle cell anemia, pulmonary embolism, malnutrition, tetanus, meningitis, prolonged labor, and hepatitis. At admission, 48% were in poor condition, 30% in good condition, and 22% in fair condition. 27% had sickle cell anemia, high blood pressure, multiple pregnancy, or malaria at admission. 64% were admitted within 24 hours after delivery, 67% 1-7 days after delivery, and 92% 7-42 days after delivery. Those in good condition were all admitted 7 days postdelivery. 41% of deaths were due to lack of drugs, 7% lack of fluids, 20% with theater problems, 14% with doctor-related factors, and 3% with midwife-related factors. Better information is needed on mortality before delivery, mortality in hospitals vs. outside, and mortality from abortion, and ectopic and hydatidiform molar pregnancies. An explanation given for the increase in maternal mortality is the decline in economic conditions. Abortion complications may be due to the concealment practiced. Causes are consistent with trends from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s in Uganda and developing countries in general. Availability and accessibility of gynecological and obstetric services needs great improvement. Training traditional birth attendants and obtaining rural ambulance services are also needed. Health workers lack creativity and imagination for developing country conditions; scarce resources are not the only problem.
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