Maternal and neonatal survival and mortality in the Upper West Region of Ghana

Abstract

Objective: To describe the health facility-based factors affecting maternal/neonatal health and the outcomes of maternal death notifications and audits in the Upper West Region of Ghana.

Methods: Maternal death notifications and audits were conducted at 6 hospitals and in communities in the Upper West Region of Ghana in 2009. Furthermore, a kangaroo mother care strategy was implemented at 5 health facilities in the region to improve neonatal survival. The results of these implementations were recorded between July and December 2009.

Results: Forty-seven maternal deaths were reported and audited, with 46.5% occurring within 24 hours after admission. Twenty-three deaths were linked to delays in receiving care and non-adherence to treatment protocols. Of 155 midwives expected to provide skilled care, 129 (83.2%) were between 46 and 59 years of age. The kangaroo mother care strategy resulted in 622 (89.5%) of 695 targeted infants surviving. At the end of 2009, only 30% of the recommendations of audit committees had been implemented.

Conclusion: Maternal death notifications and audits are useful tools for improving quality of care and outcomes. With almost half of maternal deaths occurring within 24 hours of admission, emergency care in the Upper West Region of Ghana must be improved.