Determining the Epidemiological, Clinical and Prognostic Aspects of Maternal Mortality (MM) in Cameroon

The goal of this study was to look at the epidemiological, clinical, and prognostic aspects of maternal mortality in Yaounde. We did a descriptive cross-sectional analysis using retrospective data to collect maternal fatalities according to WHO definitions. from January 1 2017, to December 31, 2019, in two tertiary centers of Yaounde: The Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital (YGOPH) and the Yaounde Central Hospital (YCH).

208 maternal deaths were identified during the study period, with 4/5 (78.4%) coming from referral instances. The MM ratio was 1532.8 per 100,000 live births (LB) vs. 609.5 per 100,000 live births at YCH and YGOPH respectively. The Main causes where haemorrhage (49%) followed by hypertensive diseases and their complications (21.2%), maternal mortality was associated with 50% of cases of foetal or neonatal deaths (57.4% in YCH vs 28.3% in YGOPH, P < 0.001). Health service systems were related to MM.

Since 2017, the maternal mortality ratios in YCH and YGOPH maternities have increased dramatically. The most common causes of MM were bleeding and hypertensive disorders. These factors can be avoided. If we wish to drastically lower the maternal death rate, we must enhance our health systems.