SIERRA LEONE REDUCING MATERNAL MORTALITY IN THE LAST SIX YEARS, 2016 – 2021: A SECONDARY DATA ANALYSIS ON MATERNAL DEATH SURVEILLANCE AND RESPONSE SYSTEM

Abstract

Globally, Sierra Leone is among the countries with a high maternal mortality ratio (MMR) at 717 per 100,000 live births (DHS 2019). Since then, anecdotal reports show a rapid decline in the MMR. This study to determine the magnitude and trend of maternal deaths, to describe maternal deaths by person, place, and time, and to identify the leading cause (s) of maternal deaths in Sierra Leone.  A retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted using data from 2016 ─ 2021 extracted from the National Electronic MDSR line-listing System database. We analyzed key variables including age, place and time of death, gravidity, and cause of death. We calculated frequencies, proportions, and ratios using Microsoft Excel. Overall, 3,491 maternal deaths were recorded out of 1,312,951 live births during the study period, with an average MMR of 266 deaths per 100,000 live births ranging from 319 per 100, 000 live births in 2016 to 255 per 100,000 live births in 2021. The median age of decedent mothers was 27 years (range: 12 to 50 years). The age group 25-34 years accounted for almost half, 45% (1,552/3,491), of the deaths. The deaths were more common in multi-gravida women with 41% (1,353/3,491) of the total deaths. Of the total maternal deaths, 79% (2,767/3,491) occurred at health facilities of these, 75% (2,065/2,767) were from referral hospitals. Hemorrhage was reported the leading cause of maternal deaths at 43% (1,489/3,491), followed by hypertensive disorder at 17% (577/3,491), indirect causes at 13% (437/3,491), and the least was from abortion/ectopic 3% (97/3,491).

There was a decline in maternal death from 2016 to 2021. Hemorrhage was the leading cause of maternal death. We recommend the Ministry of Health implement targeted strategies on hemorrhage prevention and control for further reduction of maternal mortality in Sierra Leone.

Keywords: Maternal Death Surveillance Data Analysis, Sierra Leone, 2016 - 2021.