[Determinants of risk factors associated with severe maternal morbidity: application during antenatal consultations]

In order to assess the incidence of severe maternal mortality (SMM) and search for associated determinants of risk factors, a population-based survey of 20,326 pregnant women was conducted in six counties in West Africa (MOMA study). Complete files were available for 19,545 (96.2%) women. The rate of SMM, assessed with an overall indicator, was 6.7% (5.7-6.4). The relationship between SMM and various socio-economic features, gyneco-obstetrical antecedents and characteristics of the current pregnancy was studied. Multivariate analysis identified 10 factors of risk of SMM. Prevalence, adjusted odds-ratio, positive predictive value and adjusted attributable risk were determined for these ten factors. By decreasing order of positive predictive value, these factors were: hemorrhage during pregnancy (51.5%), antecedent cesarean (27.1%), high blood pressure (diastolic pressure 10 (18.9%), systolic pressure 14 (14.6%)), antecedent multiple pregnancy (15.8%), height 150 cm (12.9%), lack of fetal movements (12.6%), history of 3 stillborns (9.3%), age over 35 years (8%), nulliparity (7.3%), presence of disease during the pregnancy (7.1%). These results show the importance of antenatal consultation during which these factors are easily identifiable.