Audit of Maternal Deaths in the Context of the Free Obstetrical Care at the Maternity of the Ignace Deen National Hospital of Conakry Chu

Abstract

Balde Ibrahima Sory, Balde Ousmane, Diallo Fatoumata Bamba, Sylla Ibrahima, Diallo Mariama, Sow Alhassane, Diallo Ibrahima Tangaly, Sy Telly

Objectives: To describe the evolution of half-yearly maternal mortality ratios, to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of the patients who died in the facility, to analyse the causes and determining factors of maternal deaths that have occurred in the facility, and to implement strategies to reduce this maternal mortality.

Methodology: this was a descriptive, cross-sectional and analytical study carried out at the maternity ward of the Ignace Deen National Hospital of the Conakry University Hospital with data collection in two phases, including a retrospective lasting 6 months from July 1 to December 31, 2018, and the other prospective for a period of 18 months from January 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020.

Result: During the study period, 224 deaths were recorded out of a total of 8,539 live births, for an intra-hospital maternal mortality ratio of 2,623.25 per 100,000 live births. The profile of women at risk of maternal death was as follows: patients aged 20-31 (56.26%), married (87.6%), low-income (41.96%), multiparous (33, 1%), evacuated from a peripheral maternity hospital (79.91%), multi guest (34.9%). The majority of deaths occurred within the first 24 hours (75%). The majority of deaths were due to direct obstetric causes: postpartum haemorrhage (52.68%), eclampsia (21.88%). Indirect obstetric causes were dominated by anaemia (16.07%). But in some cases, two or even three factors were associated with the occurrence of the same maternal death. The most frequently encountered obstetric period of death was postpartum (77.68%). The average recovery time was 31.96 minutes. The lack of blood products and the inadequacy of the technical platform were the main associated factors. Also, it appears that all our cases of death were preventable. The causes of the dysfunctions were attributable: to the person by their attitude (delay in specific care); in the hospital for the lack of equipment and blood products and in the consultation. Free obstetric care was not complete in some cases.

Conclusion: maternal mortality is a major health problem in our structure. Its reduction requires the mobilization of all actors in society involving good health education; improving the quality of prenatal consultations and emergency obstetric care by consciously taking charge of staff and strengthening the technical platform.

PDF