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Table 2 Additional characteristics of maternal deaths at Bugando Medical Centre 2008–2012

From: Maternal death reviews at Bugando hospital north-western Tanzania: a 2008–2012 retrospective analysis

Number of children ever delivered by the diseased

Number

% of total

Mean ± SD

Overall

   

Never delivered before

9

11.3

 

≤4 children

62

77.4

 

≥5

9

11.3

 

Total

80

100.0

 

Duration of stay at Bugando Hospital (in days)

   

Overall

  

13.5 ± 5.7

<1

16

20.0

 

1–3

38

47.5

 

≥4

26

32.5

 

Total

80

100.0

 

Some important information recorded during death review

   

Information on whether attended ANC n = 80

29

36.2

 

Information on gestation age of the pregnancy resulting into the death n = 80

19

23.8

 

Place of delivery documented (those recorded to had delivered) n = 61

38

62.3

 

Gestation age at delivery recorded n = 61

23

37.7

 

Delivery assistant recorded n = 61

29

47.5

 

Mode of delivery recorded (those recorded to had delivered) n = 61

44

72.1

 

Highlighted direct causes of deaths

76

95.0

 

Eclampsia

16

20.0

 

Sepsis

14

17.5

 

Postpartum haemorrhage

9

11.3

 

Abortion

8

10.0

 

Anaesthetic complications

8

10.0

 

Severe pre-eclampsia

5

6.2

 

Embolism

3

3.7

 

Mentioned as direct but no specific causes highlighted

13

16.3

 

Highlighted indirect causes of deaths

4

5.0

 

AIDS related

3

3.8

 

Heart Diseases

1

1.2

 

Total

80

100.0

 

Identified factors associated with maternal deaths

   

Late referral from another facility

21

30.9

 

Delay in receiving appropriate treatment

15

22.1

 

Delay in deciding to seek care

14

20.6

 

Inadequate provider skills

8

11.8

 

Lack of supplies and equipment in health facilities

6

8.8

 

Inadequate staff in health facilities

3

4.4

 

Poor infrastructure for quick referral

1

1.4

 

Total

68

100.0

 
  1. Note: Deaths from obstructed labour and anaemia were categorized as contributing factors and not causes and classified as of sepsis or haemorrhage