Maternal Deaths and Complications in Kinshasa Hospitals
Author Information
Author(s): Kabali Eugénie, Gourbin Catherine, De Brouwere Vincent
Primary Institution: Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales de Kinshasa
Hypothesis
What are the circumstances surrounding maternal deaths and severe obstetric complications in Kinshasa hospitals?
Conclusion
Women with serious obstetric complications in Kinshasa have a better chance of survival if they have cash, go directly to a functioning referral hospital, and can negotiate with healthcare staff.
Supporting Evidence
- High maternal mortality in Kinshasa persists despite high antenatal care coverage.
- Financial barriers significantly delay access to emergency obstetric care.
- Many women do not recognize danger signs during pregnancy, leading to delays in seeking care.
- Poor quality of care and staff negligence contribute to maternal deaths.
Takeaway
In Kinshasa, many women die during childbirth because they can't afford care or don't recognize danger signs, even when they have access to hospitals.
Methodology
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 208 women who survived obstetric complications and families of 110 women who died, analyzed using N-Vivo and SPSS.
Potential Biases
Respondents may justify their actions or downplay errors, affecting the accuracy of the data.
Limitations
The study relies on self-reported data from survivors and families, which may not accurately reflect medical causes of death.
Participant Demographics
The study included women aged 16 to over 35, with varying levels of education and marital status.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.000
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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