Adolescent maternal mortality in Sokoto, Nigeria

The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of adolescent maternal deaths at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto. We also studied the associated and causative factors, and recommended strategies for their prevention. This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of adolescent maternal deaths that occurred at UDUTH, Sokoto from January 1990 to December 1999. There were 946 live births (LB) from adolescents and 46 maternal deaths during the study period. The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in adolescents was 4863/100000 LB and 2151/100000 LB in the general hospital population. The mean age of the adolescents who died was 17 years. Risk factors included absence of routine antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum care, illiteracy and poverty. Eclampsia and prolonged obstructed labour were responsible for 76% of deaths. Abortion was an uncommon cause of maternal death in adolescents. There is an unacceptably high level of maternal mortality in adolescents at UDUTH, Sokoto. Tragically, most deaths are preventable.