Abortion second highest cause of maternal deaths - report

Baboki Kayawe | Friday December 12, 2014 13:46

According to the study, the most common causes of maternal mortality were immediate postpartum haemorrhage leading with 19 cases, unspecified failed attempted abortion constituted 15 deaths, while Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes and Low Platelet Count made up for 11 cases. “However, in 2013 there was only one case of HIV-related diseases, which contributed to maternal deaths,” the report reads.

The study reported the highest maternal deaths were among the age group of 30 to 34 at 26 percent followed by age group 35 to 39 making up 25 percent, the 25 to 29 age bracket came in third at 20 percent and 20- to 24-year-olds at 14 percent.

However, no maternal death was recorded in ages 45 and above.  Furthermore, the study revealed a 0.2 percent decline in non-institutional births in 2012 and 0.1 percent in 2013.  “Gantsi district continues to report the highest non-institutional births notably: 36 births, accounting for 52.9 percent followed by Okavango (26 births) with 38.2 percent, Mabutsane (five births) with 7.4 percent and Goodhope (one birth) with 1.5 percent,” stated the report. 

These constituted 220 non-institutionalised live births in 2009, 475 in 2010, 104 in 2011, 91 in 2012 and 68 were recorded in 2013.   The Ministry of Health on the other hand registered 45,145 institutional live births in 2009, 49,853 in 2010, while in 2011 44,904 were recorded, 49,957 were registered in 2013 and 49,771 were on record for last year.  Statistician General, Annah Majelantle stated in the foreword of the Maternal Mortality Ratio 2009-2013 that the Botswana Family Health Survey undertaken in 2007 indicated that over 99 percent of deliveries have been assisted by skilled birth attendants in cities or towns accounting for 97.2 percent in urban villages and 90.2 percent in rural areas.

However, the high level of birth attendance by skilled health personnel gives accurate identification and classification of maternal death cases, as well as certification of causes of maternal deaths, Majelantle stated. 

The survey further indicates that over 95 percent of all reported deliveries occur in health facilities.

The report is a collaborative effort between Statistics Botswana and the Ministry of Health meant to improve the availability and quality of maternal mortality information.