ABSTRACT  

Maternal mortality has remained high worldwide, especially in developing countries including Nigeria where over 90% of maternal deaths are essentially preventable. The target of MDG 5 is to reduce maternal deaths at least75% by the end of 2015. The study sought to establish the maternal mortality ratio, trend and causes of maternal mortality and association between occupation and causes of Maternal Mortality at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA), Ebonyi State. A retrospective review of maternal deaths at FETHA over a five-year period (January 1st 2010– December 31st 2014) was done. The records of all deliveries in the hospital were obtained and particularly records of all maternal deathswere retrieved for detailed analysis using a proforma checklist. There were 6651 births and 52 maternal deaths during the review period giving a maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 782/100,000 live births. There was a rise in maternal deaths from 2010 to 2012 (757/100,000 in 2010, 971/100,000 in 2011 and 1006/100,000 in 2012) and a drop in 2013 and 2014 (840/100,000 in 2013 and 550/100,000 in 2014). Forty-six percent were between 20 – 29 years. Thirty-four percent had no formal education while more than two-thirds (68%) did not register for antenatal care (unbooked). Common causes of maternal deaths were: postpartum haemorrhage (28%), preeclampsia/eclampsia (pregnancy induced hypertension) (22%) and puerperal sepsis (18%). It is concluded that though there was a decrease in the MMR compared with a figure of 906/100,000 obtained from previous study in the study centre, the maternal death toll observed in this study is still quite high compared to the national average of 576/100,000 and fell short of the targets of the MDG5. It is recommended that female education, economic empowerment and access to emergency obstetric care are areas that need emphasis in the fight against this obstetric catastrophe as it was observed that a high percentage were uneducated, peasant farmers and unbooked.