Maternal Mortality from 2014 To 2017: Trend and Risk Factors at the Kintambo Maternity Ward, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Introduction: Maternal mortality is a tragedy and constitutes a triple scourge. It is dramatic for the family (which falls apart after the death of the woman), unacceptable for the medical profession (since there are obstetric means to save mothers), and unacceptable for society (dying while giving birth). However, it seems to increase every year in the city of Kinshasa, due to several factors including the lack of easy access to quality care and childbirth services. The main objective for this study was to investigate the trend in maternal mortality at the Kintambo maternity ward from 2014-2017 including the relative contribution of risk factors linked to the lack of easy access to care and services quality delivery. Methods: This is an observational case-control study among pregnant women who followed ANC or not at the Kintambo maternity ward, but who all gave birth from January 2014 until December 2017. The use of the survey method, based on the analysis of registers, with a data collection sheet (check list) which was used for the collection of data, proved essential to bring this to fruition research. The sample size was exhaustive for cases (63 cases) and 63 controls. Results: Trend in female mortality between 2014-2017 at the Kitambo maternity ward in the city of Kinshasa has been decreasing, i.e. 22 cases in 2014, 17 cases in 2015, 14 cases in 2016 and 10 cases in 2017. It was observed that the variables show a very significant difference in relation to the factors which are the age of the pregnant woman, attendance at the CPN, delivery in the same center, the number of doctors in the delivery room and the distance between the residence and the center with an added value (P) less than 0.008; In comparison to pregnant women who die or not during childbirth and the factors in relation to their Chi-square, the age of gestation has a higher. Conclusion: Reducing this mortality requires strengthening the capacities of midwives /midwives in the care of pregnant women from conception to delivery and in the postpartum period , providing maternity wards with all the assets for good operationalization in the farthest corners of the city center , raising awareness among pregnant women of the importance of attending the CPN, ensuring good monitoring of the pregnant woman during her pregnancy and during childbirth, and for women to be always accompanied by their husbands during the CPN in order to help them internalize certain notions.