Maternal and neonatal mortality in the Upper West Region of Ghana.

In 2009, maternal death audits were conducted in the Upper West Region of Ghana by six hospital maternal death audit committees. Maternal deaths were made notifiable, and it was made mandatory for an audit to be conducted within two weeks after a death was reported. Community-based deaths were recorded by community health volunteers. In 2009, 47 maternal deaths were reported and audited in the region, four of which were in the community. Quality of care and emergency response systems were not adequate, resulting in half the hospital deaths occurring within 24 hours of admission. 23 deaths were linked to delays in receiving care and non-adherence to treatment protocols. Of 155 midwives expected to provide skilled care, many reported being ill themselves. Lastly, only 30% of the recommendations made by the maternal death audit committees had been implemented by the end of 2009. (1)

(1.) Issah K, Nang-Beifubah A, Opoku CF. Maternal and neonatal survival and mortality in the Upper West Region of Ghana. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2011; 113:208-10.

DOI: 10.1016/S0968-8080(11)38593-X