Maternal Mortality: In-Depth Review of Maternal Death in a Referral Hospital in Jigawa State Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Maternal mortality remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria. In 2023, Nigeria accounted for approximately 28.5% of global maternal deaths despite representing only 2.6% of the world’s population. This study aims to determine the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and identify factors contributing to maternal deaths at Rasheed Shekoni Federal University Teaching Hospital (RSFUTH), Dutse. Methods: A retrospective review of maternal deaths that occurred in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, RSFUTH, between 1 December 2023 and 30 November 2024 was conducted. Relevant information was extracted from patients’ case files using a structured proforma. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics were presented as frequencies and percentages, while associations were tested using Fisher’s exact test at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: During the study period, 768 deliveries and 30 maternal deaths were recorded, resulting in an MMR of 3,906 per 100,000 live births. Two cases were excluded from analyses of causes and contributory factors because of incomplete records. The mean age of the women was 26.5 ± 8.6 years, with over half (53.6%) aged 15–25 years. Most women resided in rural areas (67.9%), were homemakers (92.8%), and had no formal or Qur’anic education (60.8%). Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (32.1%) and puerperal sepsis (28.5%) were the leading causes of death. Most women (87.5%) delivered in hospitals, while 75% of deaths occurred during the postpartum period. More than half (57.1%) died within 1–7 days of admission. Conclusion: Maternal mortality at RSFUTH was extremely high. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and puerperal sepsis were the leading causes, while inadequate treatment, limited equipment and infrastructure, and delays in referral contributed significantly to maternal deaths.