PREVALENCE AND CAUSES OF MATERNAL MORTALITY AMONG WOMEN IN OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE.

ABSTRACT

This study examined prevalence and causes of maternal mortality among women in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. The objectives of this study were to determine the direct/indirect causes of maternal mortality among women in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State; to ascertain the extent to which education status of women influence maternal mortality among women in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State; to investigate the extent to which income level of women promote maternal mortality among women in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, as well as to determine the extent to which health care system enhance maternal mortality among women in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.. To achieve the objectives of the study, one hundred (100) questionnaires were administered by the researcher, of which ninety-six (96) were returned successfully and were used for the data analysis and presentation.

The data gathered for the purpose of this study were analyzed using frequency count, percentage and chi-square (x²) statistical tool was utilized in testing the formulated hypotheses. At the end of the analysis, the study revealed that the direct causes of maternal mortality in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State includes Hamorrhage, Sepsis and Eclampsia, while the indirect causes are unsafe abortion, HIV/AIDS, and Anaemia; that high educational status of women reduces maternal mortality; that high income level of women reduces maternal mortality and that availability of quality health care system reduces the prevalence of maternal mortality among women in Oredo Local Government Area in Edo state.

In line with these findings, it is recommended that education women should be encouraged; this will expose them on what they need to know concerning the causes and prevention of maternal mortality.