SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF MATERNAL MORTALITY IN SOUTHERN SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Nigeria accounts for high percentage of global maternal deaths and most studies on maternal mortality has been tied to hospital data that capture only the percentage of women that finally receive care from any of the existing orthodox health facilities. A population-based research on maternal death offers a more prospective approach at identifying areas of challenges. This research seeks to investigate spatial variations of maternal deaths in Southern Senatorial District of Edo State, Nigeria. Community-based survey design was employed to investigate the level of maternal mortality. To examine significance and spatial relationship, measurement of total fertility rate, maternal mortality ratio, lifetime risk and proportion of maternal death, descriptive statistical and cartographic methods were used. Data was collected from 2100 respondents using the indirect sisterhood method. The findings show that Total Fertility Rate for the study area was 4.605 and the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) calculated from the lifetime risk was 3877 per 100, 000 live births. Comparative analysis showed the period and place of maternal death was during /after delivery at health facilities in the study area. Most maternal deaths in the study area were between the age groups of 25–29 and 30–34 years occurring more amongst married women. Spatial variation of maternal mortality levels between urban areas and rural areas was (3806 and 4041) per 100,000 live births, respectively. With increased maternal risk across the study area, there is need for policies and actions that will accelerate the progress needed to achieve the SDG 3.1 goal by 2030.