Analysis of the Temporal and Seasonal Patterns of Maternal Mortality Ratio in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State of Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyzed the temporal and seasonal patterns of maternal mortality (both levels and ratios) in Yenagoa, the capital city of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The objectives are to determine the levels and ratios of maternal mortality per month and per season over 8 years period (2010 to 2017). Data were collected from primary and secondary sources. A major tertiary hospital was used for this work based on its function and accessibility to women. Data were collected from the hospital records and was updated with the case folder. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data. The study revealed that the year 2015 witnessed the highest maternal mortality ratio of 1445.09 per 100,100 livebirth in Bayelsa state. Maternal mortality level was 10, while the number of livebirth was 692. The study also reviewed higher maternal mortality ratio during the wet season (1031.25 than dry season (961.87).Results further showed that there is no significant difference in maternal mortality ratio between the two seasons in the study area. Empirical results show Mann Whitney test 13.0032, and p-value of 0.619 was obtained (p>0.05), at 5 % significant level, meaning that there is no significant difference in maternal mortality ratio between wet and dry season in the study area.