Conference abstract
A retrospective review of stillbirth data in the Volta Region, Ghana, 2016
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2017:3(41).18
Oct 2017.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2017.3.41.145
Archived on: 18 Oct 2017
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Stillbirth, macerated, fresh
Oral presentation
A retrospective review of stillbirth data in the Volta Region, Ghana, 2016
Anna Jammeh1,&, Ernest Kenu1
1Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Ghana
&Corresponding author
Anna Jammeh, Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Ghana
Introduction: stillbirth rate is an indirect measure of the quality of management of pregnancy, labor and delivery. Absent from the MDGs stillbirth remains a neglected issue, under-financed and in need of attention. The national average for Ghana is 22 per 1000 births. The study sought to estimate the stillbirth rates in the Volta region of Ghana, and also determined whether or not these rates significantly varied according to type of stillbirth - macerated or fresh.
Methods: a retrospective review of all stillbirth data for all 25 districts of Volta region from 2012 to 2016 was conducted. Data was retrieved from the district health information management system (DHIMS 2). Descriptive statistics were performed and the significance between fresh and macerated births was tested with Mann-Whitney rank sum test.
Results: there were 209,113 deliveries during the period with an annual average of 40943.4 live births and 879 stillbirths whilst the average number fresh stillbirth and macerated stillbirth were 361(41%) and 518.2(59%) respectively. The stillbirth rate in the region during the period ranged from 23.6 to 19.0 per 1000. The highest births and stillbirths were recorded during the month of May and October respectively. The modal age group of mothers was 20-29 years and recorded 50% of all stillbirths. Both stillbirth types were positively skewed and there was also a significant difference in the distribution of the number of macerated against fresh (p = 0.012) with an average ANC coverage of 80%.
Conclusion: macerated stillbirths remain a significant challenge in Volta region. An intensification of public education on the importance of antenatal care coverage was recommended to Regional Health Directorate. Refresher trainings including basic ultrasonography have been organized for midwives in the region.
