OBJECTIVES

: To determine factors contributing to maternal mortality among women of reproductive age seeking for obstetric services at Kisii Level 5 Hospital, from January 2009 to June 2010,

METHODS

: A confidential female death questionnaire (CFDQ) was used to collect data from relatives of the 230 subjects with 72 subjects on the deceased arm.

RESULTS

: Study findings revealed that among those who died, 43 (60%) ranged between 15-25 years. Fifty-one (70.8%) of the deceased did not go to hospital promptly due to lack of money and delayed decision making process. Thirty-nine pregnancies (54%) were unplanned and expectant mothers didn’t have a birth plan. Thirty-five percent lacked transport to access care, while 38% reported delay in being attended at the health facility. Again, 61% were delivered by skilled attendants yet they succumbed to maternal morality. Complications which led to maternal mortality were mainly: bleeding /hemorrhage, swelling of hands, hypertension, heart diseases, and post-partum infections.

CONCLUSIONS

: The study concludes that young women (15-30 years) of reproductive age are prone to maternal mortality. Unplanned pregnancies, abortion, home deliveries, delay in being attended while in hospital and preterm deliveries were the main contributory factors to maternal mortality. This study recommends that health education on antenatal care and birth-plan should be intensified targeting young women of reproductive age (15-30 years). Economical empowerment, scaling-up family planning and skilled deliveries should be encouraged. This will reduce maternal mortality and make significant progress towards sustainable goals.