Associated Factors and Quality of Care Received among Maternal Deaths at a Regional Hospital in Ghana: Maternal Death Audit Review

Akosua Owusu-Sarpong, Kwame A Boamah, Frank Baiden

Abstract

Maternal death audits are crucial to the reduction of maternal deaths. The aim of this study was to identity factors contributing to maternal deaths at Eastern Regional Hospital of Ghana. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Quantitative data on all the maternal deaths from January to December 2012 was extracted from completed audit forms and patients records using a standardized questionnaire. The data were analyzed in Epi-info. Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with health staff to assess care received and factors leading to death. A total of 43 maternal deaths occurred out of which 37 (86%) were audited. Major causes of deaths were pregnancy induced hypertension (27%) and abortion (21%). Late referrals, poor supervision of junior staff, inadequate numbers of senior clinicians, lack of intensive care facility as well as unavailability and insufficient blood and blood products were the main contributory factors to the deaths. Tertiary health institutions should be adequately equipped, staffed, and funded to address these causes of maternal death. (Afr J Reprod Health 2017; 21[2]:49-54).

Full Text:

PDF

References

Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Ghana Health Service (GHS),

and Macro International, 2009. Ghana Maternal Health Survey 2007. Calverton, Maryland, USA: GSS, GHS and Macro International

Trends in maternal mortality: 1990-2015: estimates from

WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division

Gunonya, SK, Kolbila, DK, Gandau, BBN, Malechi H and K.

Kyei-Aboagye, Trends in Maternal Mortality in Tamale Teaching hospital, Ghana . GMJ. Sep 2011; 45(3); 105-110

Zakariah AY, Alexander S, Roosmalen Jv, Buekens P,

Kwawukume EY and Frimpong P: Reproductive age mortality survey (RAMOS) in Accra, Ghana. Reproductive Health 2009, 6 (1) : 7.

Paxton A, Maine D, Freedman L, Fry D and Lobis S. The

evidence for emergency obstetric care. International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. 2005;88(2):181–93. Epub 2005/02/08. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2004.11.026 .

WHO. Making pregnancy safer: the critical role of the skilled

attendant. A joint statement by WHO, ICM and FIGO Geneva, Switzerland: WHO, 2004.

District Health Information Management Systems (DHIMS) /

auth. Ghana Health Service. - Eastern Region : Ghana Health Service, 2012.

Eastern Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service,

Ministry of Health, 2012 annual report, 2013. Eastern Region Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Koforidua, Ghana.

Terefe W, Getachew Y, Hiruve A Derbew M, Mariam DH,

Mammo D and Muhiye A. Patterns of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and associated factors at Debre Berhan referral hospital, Ethiop Med J. 2015 Jul, Suppl 2:57-65

Gebhardt G.S. Fawcus S. Moodley J and Farina Z. Maternal

death and Caesarian section in South Africa. S. Afr. Med J.2015 Apr, 105 (4) 287-91

Ghana Statistical Service. (2012, May 1). Ghana Statistical

Service. Retrieved Febuary 20, 2016, from Ghana Statistical Service: http://www.statsghana.gov.gh

Allotey PA and Reidpath D. Information quality in a remote

rural maternity unit in Ghana. Health Policy and Planning; 15(2): 170-176

Ray S; Madzimbamuto FD; Ramagola-Masire D Phillips R,

Mogobe KD and Haverkamp M. Review of causes of maternal deaths in Botswana in 2010. SAM J, S. Afr. Med. J. vol. 103 n.8 Cape Town Jan.

Anderson FWJ, Obed SA, Brookman EL and Opare- Ado H.

The Public Health Impact of Training Physicians to become Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in Ghana. Am J Public Health. 2014 February; 104(Suppl 1): S159-S165

Thomas LS, Jina R, Tint KS and Fonn S. Making systems

work: The hard part of improving maternal health services in South Africa. Reprod Health Matters 2007; 15 (30):38-49.

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.