The issue of maternal mortality in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone has a high maternal mortality ratio, typical of many countries in
sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated 1165 maternal deaths per 100.000 live
births, according to the UN's most recent data.
It has also been estimated that for each woman who dies, 30 further women will
become disabled, injured or ill owing to pregnancy.
While several measures to combat the poor reproductive health performance, Sierra
Leone remains one of the most dangerous places on earth to be pregnant.
Medical Causes
About 80 percent of maternal deaths in Sierra Leone are due to causes in that are
directly related to childbirth and pregnancy. The five major direct causes of maternal
death are haemorrhage 33%, sepsis 11%, hypertensive disorders 21%, prolonged or obstructed labour 19%, and unsafe abortion.
The majority of these conditions could be prevented with proper medical monitoring, information and services.
Other contributing factors to the high maternal mortality
rate in Sierra Leone include:
Underlying health & medical conditions Including: Malaria, HIV/AIDS,
Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, Anaemia; Nutritional Status.
Social Factors Such As: Poverty; gender inequality and low status of women and girls, negative attitudes towards women’s health & together, lack of adequate
contraception or family planning.
Gender-Based Violence including: Female Genital Mutilation and
Underage/Child/Forced “Marriage’.
Geographical constraints especially in remote rural areas; Lack of transport to health facilities.
Overall - Risk of maternal mortality is highest amongst adolescent girls under 15
years old. Complications in pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of
death among adolescent girls in Sierra Leone.
All of these multifaceted set of underlying social, economic and behavioural factors
are known as the “Three Delays”.
- The delay by the patient in the decision to seek care.
- The delay in reaching the appropriate care once the decision has been made to seek care.
- The delay in receiving adequate care after arriving at the health facility.
What is Motherhood health Care doing to combat maternal mortality?
Motherhood healthcare works to ensure that women in rural Sierra Leone have
access to healthcare they need.
We work to ensure women in poor rural communities have good quality maternal
health services through training of midwives and community health workers, provide
access to health service through our mobile health clinic to women in rural
communities. For more information SEE OUR PROJECTS.
