Publication:

A five-year review of perinatal and maternal outcomes and their predisposing socio-demographic factors in a tertiary hospital in South-South Nigeria

Background With a ‘Very High’ maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 814 per 100,000 live births, Nigeria contributes the largest proportion of 19% to the global burden of maternal mortality. The causes of maternal and perinatal mortality in Nigeria are linked to the three levels of delay in accessing maternal healthcare. The objective of the study was to identify the sociodemographic contributors to adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes and mortalities in the facility and make appropriate recommendations that would improve maternal and perinatal outcomes/mortalities.

Methods This research was a retrospective study. It was conducted between  January, 2016 and  December, 2020. Relevant data was retrieved, entered into a pre-designed proforma, and analysed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions for windows® version 25, SPSS Inc.; Chicago, USA.

Results Age of the women (X2=12.94; p-0.005), marital status (X2=66.86; p-0.001), level of education (X2=8.77; p-0.033) and occupation of participants (X2=26.30; p-0.001) were sociodemographic characteristics that are significantly associated with the outcome of pregnancies in this centre. perinatal mortality was also associated with age of the women (X2=15.52; p-0.001), their marital status (X2=105.48; p-0.001), level of education (X2=223.15; p-0.005) and occupation (X2=229.6; p-0.001).

Conclusions Our study revealed that socio-demographic factors of the patients to a large extent contributes to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, and not just the three delays.