Factors affecting maternal mortality in sokoto state,Nigeria

Abstract

Being a sensitive development indicator with unacceptably large cross-country differentials, maternal mortality was of great concern in both the ICPD Programme of Action and the Millennium Summit, and improving the maternal health and reducinq deaths due to maternal causes were among the adopted goals and targets in both ICPD and the MDGs. Maternal death is defined as a death like no other. The impact of maternal death to the families and communities is devastating especially for surviving children. This article is aimed to discuss these causes of death, with special attention given to the level of health facility provision, access to, and utilisation of healthcare services that are directed towards addressing maternal health issues in Sokoto state, north-westem Nigeria. Relevant data was obtained from various secondary sources such as the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) and United Nations Population Funds (UNFPA). It was concluded that most maternal deaths are avoidable as medical solutions to prevent or manage the direct or fatal causes are well known. Similarly, reducing poverty and provision of basic infrastructure will improve access to health service delivery thereby reducing the rate of maternal mortality.