Perceived causes and circumstances of maternal deaths in the Centre-East health region: women’s profiles and lessons for reducing maternal mortality in Burkina Faso
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64707/revstss.v49i1.2057Keywords:
Maternal death, verbal autopsy, Centre-Est, Burkina FasoAbstract
A better understanding of the profile of women who have died and the
circumstances surrounding their deaths could help guide prevention efforts more
effectively.
Methods
This study is based on a secondary data analysis of information collected from women
who died as part of a case–control study conducted in the Centre-East region in 2022.
Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire adapted from the World
Health Organization community verbal autopsy instrument for maternal deaths.
Univariate descriptive statistics, including proportions, means with standard
deviations, and frequencies, were used to describe the characteristics of the study
sample.
Results
Among the 70 maternal deaths included in the sample, verbal autopsies were
completed for 52 cases. Of these women, 18 (34.6%) were from Ouargaye district and
18 (34.6%) were aged 19–24 years. The leading causes of death were haemorrhage
(13 cases; 25.0%), convulsive disorders suggestive of eclampsia (10 cases; 19.2%),
and other obstetric haemorrhagic complications (6 cases; 11.5%). Most deaths
occurred in pregnancies estimated to be at term (38 cases; 73.1%). In most cases, the
decision to seek care was made by the husband (37 cases; 71.2%).
Conclusion
Strengthening the capacity of community-based health workers, as well as improving
the prevention and management of haemorrhage and hypertensive complications, is
essential to reduce maternal deaths in Burkina Faso.
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