Effect of Maternal Mortality Rate Among Female Between the Age of 15 – 40 Years
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of this study is an appraisal of maternal mortality rate in Kutungare, specific objective includes:
- To appraise the causes of maternal mortality rate in Kutungare
- To investigate the effect or maternal mortality rate on the population growth of Kaduna state
- To investigate the relationship between maternal mortality and the psychological well-being of the children
- To proffer suggested solution to the identified problem
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
Maternal and child health are crucial measures of progress in developing nations especially in the monitoring and evaluation of various developmental agenda such as Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 (MDG-4 & MDG-5). Poor maternal health remains a major concern in sub-Saharan Africa with Nigeria occupying a position among the countries with the highest maternal and child mortality rates in the world. The influence of working conditions on maternal health in the face of poor provision of amenities and infrastructural decay ravaging developing countries, particularly those of sub-Saharan Africa, have seldom been recognized as important factors in maternal health. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), government health ministries and international organizations such as WHO, have adopted many strategies in an attempt to improve maternal health outcomes around the world. These have mainly been through the provision of maternal and child health (MCH) programmes, aimed at improving primary prevention through education and services, early detection and treatment. Specific programme interventions include emphasizing prenatal attention, clean and safe deliveries, postnatal care, family planning, and essential obstetric care (Fadeyi, 2007; Lubbock & Stephenson, 2008). While these programmes encourage women’s access to maternal health services, women continue to be susceptible to health complications due to some extraneous social and cultural factors. Various studies have increasingly pointed out that urban health conditions are not as rosy as many people may assume (Friel et al, 2011; Takano, 2003). Takano (2003) specifically noted that urbanization triggers new problems and issues bearing on multiple aspects of urban life, including food security, housing, living environment, health of future generations, etc. The conditions of the diverse health determinants in urban areas are becoming increasingly complex especially in developing nations. On the whole, the varied health problems challenging cities are intricately interrelated withthe background of general urban problems. The fast pace of urban growth has affected different groups of people in different ways. Urban life is most fascinating but it is also demanding especially on pregnant women who do not only contend with their own health but also with the life they are foisted to carry for nine months. Such experience is especially daunting for pregnant women in Kaduna state, Nigeria, who are faced with poor provision of social amenities and infrastructural decay. The paper examines the influence of working conditions in Kaduna state, Nigeria. It describes the extent to which urbanism has impacted on maternal health in the face of poor provision of amenities and infrastructural decay ravaging the city of Lagos.
MATERNAL HEALTH IN NIGERIA: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
In the 1940s, the Church Missionary Society, the Native Administration and the colonial government undertook to raise the standard of midwifery work in eastern Nigeria. The effort combined community health education on a massive scale with the setting up of maternity homes manned by trained midwives under rigorous supervision. Affordable fees were charged. By 1949, in the 31 maternity homes that handled 6500 deliveries yearly, the maternal mortality ratio became 46 per 100,000 births, comparable to the standard at that time in England and other countries (Harrison, 2009). Also, beginning in 1945, Katsina province in Northern Nigeria ran a reliable system of compulsorily obtaining and keeping records of all births and deaths.The excellence of the quality of this source of data is attested to by the publication of good papers based on them. Harrison goes on to note that In the Ilesha area of Western Nigeria the Methodist Church of Nigeria introduced the concept of a base hospital with linkages between the base hospital and all the maternity centres in the area at urban and village levels. Close to perfection, it offered a good opportunity for replication in the rest of the country but this did not happen.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter deals with the method used in collecting data required in carrying out this research work it explains the procedures that were followed and the instrument used in collecting data.
SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION
Data were collected from two main sources namely
-Primary source and
secondary source
primary source: These are materials of statistical investigation, which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment, the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary data: These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher in interested in getting information from for the study an appraisal of maternal mortality rate in the general hospital Kutungare Kaduna state. 160 staff of general hospital Kutungare were selected randomly as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS ANDINTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was on an appraisal of maternal mortality rate in the general hospital Kutungare, Kaduna state.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of controlling maternal mortality rate in the state.
Summary
The fact that adverse working condition is positively related to maternal health complication calls for urgent policy intervention. Employers must realize that they have a social responsibility to address the issue of maternal health complications. In particular, there should be targeted health policies toward maternal wellbeing during pregnancy in the work place. This could be developed in the light of urban poor infrastructure and the double pressure which the body experiences during pregnancy. Policies establishing flexible working hours for pregnant women, such as closing earlier than others to avoid the pressure on the road and to be able to attend to home activities as well as have enough time to prepare and rest for the next day’s activities can be established. This is to enhance protective factors, as well as buffering and moderating risk factors identified in this study.
Conclusion
One of the main factors affecting maternal mortality ratio, as determined by this study, is the availability of skilled professional birth attendants providing care during childbirth. A second important factor is the absence of formal education, especially education of women. The MDG maternal mortality reduction objectives will be achieved only if the governments devote more resources to the training of medical professionals and also make the education of women a national political priority. In Nigeria a network of capable safe motherhood champions exists. However, this network has yet to capitalize on its potential power, and political priority remains low.
Recommendations
Haven completed the study, the researcher therefore put forward the following recommendations:
Husbands should allow their wives to attend antenatal clinic and to deliver in the hospital. Women folk should avoid delay in seeking medical attention, attend antenatal clinic and deliver in hospitals. Parents need to invest in girl child education. Health personnel should desist from harassing their patients and show more concern. Government should assist by providing skilled health professionals, improving healthcare facilities and promoting awareness of the importance of antenatal care. Health workers must be trained and provided the wherewithal for optimal practice. Government and community leaders should inform, educate and sensitize people on maternal health through the mass media. Increased funding of the health sector is absolutely essential. Exemption of pregnant women from paying user fees will also make a world of difference. Equipping primary health centres for essential obstetric care should be of importance. Above all, education must be given top priority and must be properly funded, especially education of women.
Reference
- Alves, S.V.(2007),Maternal Mortality in Pernambuco, Brazil: What Has Changed in TenYears? Reproductive Health Matters;15(30): 134-144
- www.rhmjournal.org.uk African Union (2006), Conference of Ministers of Health, Maputo Plan of Action for the Operationalisation of the Continental Policy Framework for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights 2007-2010, Sp/ MIN/CAMH/5(1)available
- athttp://www.Africaunion.org/root/AU/Conferences/Past/2006/September/
- Brabrin B.J., Hakimi M., Pelletier D.,(2001) An Analysis of Anemia and Pregnancy-Related Maternal Mortality The Journal of Nutrition
- American Society for Nutritional Sciences CRR and WARDC (2008), Broken Promises, Human Rights, and Maternal Death in Nigeria, Publications @ reprorights.org, www.wardc.org
- Daily Independent, Lagos (2010), Nigeria: Reducing the Country’s High Maternal Mortality Rate. Federal Government of Nigeria,
- National Policy on Population for Sustainable Development 20 (2004).
- Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja (2008), Interview with a senior government official of the Ministry, Feb.7, 2008
