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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Causes and risk factors of maternal deaths in Namibia
Authors:Lihongeni, Mulama
Indongo, NelagoISNI
Year:2014
Periodical:Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (ISSN 2026-7215)
Volume:3
Issue:1
Pages:239-252
Language:English
Geographic term:Namibia
Subject:maternal mortality
Abstract:In order to develop, implement and evaluate policy to prevent maternal deaths in Namibia, it is important that the causes be known. A retrospective audit of maternal records was conducted analyzing 154 maternal deaths recorded during the period 2008-2012. Of these 154 maternal deaths, 58.4% were direct maternal deaths and 41.6% were indirect. Hemorrhage (37.8%), eclampsia (24.4%) and puerperal sepsis (23.3%) accounted for more than 85% of direct maternal deaths. In about 65% of the hemorrhage cases, 64% of the eclampsia cases and 53% of the puerperal sepsis cases, the women lived in rural areas. Predominant - and recognizable - indirect causes were HIV (45.3%); pneumonia (23.4%) and tuberculosis (17.2%). Women living in rural areas were more likely to die from pneumonia (60%) than those in urban areas. Most women who died due to HIV were aged between 30-39 years (75.9%) while maternal deaths due to eclampsia were most common among the younger women (15-29 years). Maternal deaths occur less frequently when women live together with their partner as compared to those who do not (OR = 0.53). The study identified a range of sociodemographic, clinical and health system factors as possible contributors to maternal deaths in Namibia. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract, edited]
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