Investigating Maternal Mortality of the Year 2019 at Bay Regional Hospital in Baidoa

Abstract

Background: Maternal mortality (MM) has been described as a critical problem of global dimension. In 2017 alone, according to a report by the World Health Organization in collaboration with its partners (WHO et al. 2019), MM is estimated to have claimed the lives of 295,000 women worldwide. Considering this concern, the University of Southern Somalia’s faculty and students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and a faculty member from the Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities of the USS, in association with Hakaba Institute for Research & Training, Baidoa, SWSS, carried out this study to highlight the causes of MM in Baidoa City. The purpose of the study is to shed light on the extent at which cases of MM occur and the causes inherent to it by focusing on incidents at Bay Regional Hospital (BRH) in Baidoa city, SWSS, in the year 2019.

Methods: The study benefits from quantitative case study method by utilizing observation of data available in the archives of Bay Regional Hospital. Analyzing frequencies of occurrences of MM and their causes, the study uses 4 tables to demonstrate the comparisons of the incidents and causes of death from January to December 2019.

Results: A total number of 1950 pregnant women visited the hospital; 883 were consulted, treated and returned home; 1049 underwent safe delivery; while 18 women died in the process of childbirth.  

Conclusion: MM poses a great threat to expecting mothers in Baidoa as they are exposed to the risk of dying from obstetric complications linked to numerous direct and indirect causes. Eclampsia, PPH/APH and numerous types of infections have been identified to be among the direct and indirect causes, although many of them are classified as preventable, treatable, or manageable in nature.  

Keywords: Baidoa, childbirth, healthcare, maternal mortality, research, South-West State of Somalia