Maternal mortality: epidemiology of third delay in pregnant women referred to two hospitals in Cotonou (Benin) between 2017 and 2021

Abstract

Despite positive progress, Benin still has unsatisfactory indicators on maternal health. This work aimed to identify the determinants associated with the third delay in two reference hospitals. A retrospective descriptive and analytical study, conducted in 2024 at the University Clinic of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of CNHU HKM and at the Lagune Mother and Child University Hospital, included allmaternal deaths of referred patients occurring between 2017 and 2021. Intra-hospital maternal mortality rate was 2039 per 100,000 live births. The mean age was 29.6 years ± 6.7. Alteration of the general condition on admission (OR = 0.46 [0.31-0.68]), alteration of consciousness (OR = 0.51 [0.55-0.75]), and hemorrhagic causes (OR = 0.45 [0.30-0.67]) were associated with faster treatment. Conversely, infectious causes (OR = 2.42 [1.03-6.34]) were significantly associated with a higher probability of occurrence of the 3rd delay. The severity factors presented at admission by referred women determine the speed of care. However, our results demonstrate that infectious causes alsopresent a risk that must be taken into account