Maternal Mortality Determinants in Rural Kenya: An Audit of Three Hospitals

Abstract

Background: Global health agencies advocate that no mother should die while giving life, more so from preventable causes. However, there are persistently high maternal mortalities in various regions with a current global maternal mortality ratio of 211/100,000 live births. This study sought to investigate the causes and determinants of maternal mortality. Materials and Methods: A four‑year retrospective, cross‑sectional study was conducted in three tertiary hospitals within Migori county in Kenya. Data were extracted from 101 maternal mortality records from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2019. Results: Leading complications were hemorrhage 34.70%, eclampsia 20.80%, and sepsis 15.80%. Mothers who were unmonitored using partograph, had reactive HIV status, were in the postpartum period, were referred from periphery facilities, and low socioeconomic levels were most vulnerable. Conclusions: Improvement in healthcare systems to enable optimal care to mothers diagnosed with leading complications and socioeconomically empowering women in Migori county is urgently needed.