Journal of Clinical Case Reports

Mortality in Two Reference Hospitals in the City of Yaounde (Cameroon): Epidemiological, Clinical and Prognostic Aspects

Abstract

Armand Kamga Talom*, Florent Fouelifack Ymele, Edmond Mesumbe Nzene, Jeanne Fouedjio, Pascal Foumane

Objectives: The objective of this work was to determine the epidemiological, clinical and prognostic aspects of maternal mortality (MM) in the city of Yaounde. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection of maternal deaths according to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition, from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019, in two tertiary centers of Yaounde: The Yaounde Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital (YGOPH) and the Yaounde Central Hospital (YCH). Results: During the study period, 208 maternal deaths were identified, with 4/5 (78.4%) from referred cases. The MM ratio was 1532.8 per 100,000 live births (LB) vs. 609.5 per 100,000 live births at YCH and YGOPH respectively. The Main causes where hemorrhage (49%) followed by hypertensive diseases and their complications (21.2%), maternal mortality was associated with 50% of cases of foetal or neonatal deaths (57.4% in YCH vs 28.3% in YGOPH, P < 0.001). Health service systems were related to MM. Conclusion: Our study shows a large increase in maternal mortality ratios in YCH and YGOPH maternities since 2017. The main causes of MM found were hemorrhage followed by hypertensive diseases. These causes can be prevented. Our health systems should be improved if we want to significantly reduce the maternal mortality ratio