Theses and Dissertations

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Browsing Theses and Dissertations by Author "Maluleke, T.X."

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    A Retrospective analysis of maternal death in the Nelson Mandela Academy Hospital in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa from 2013 to 2017
    (University of Fort Hare, 2023-05) Majiki, Nosipho Sharon; Maluleke, T.X.
    Background: Globally thousands of women die each year from preventable causes during pregnancy and childbirth. It is considered the key indicator of a country's progress in improving the health status of their communities these deaths of women could be prevented through the provision of the skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric and neonatal care services and increase use of contraceptives. However, many poor countries cannot manage to provide these to pregnant women. It is unfortunate that the deaths of women in a family and community bring along many psychological and emotional factors in families and health services, because it leads to a long-term social and economic breakdown, both for the immediate family and the wider community. Furthermore, the cost of the maternal death to families, living children, and other dependents are widespread, affecting future generations and economic progress of the country. The study was conducted using patients’ records women classified as maternal deaths at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in the 2013 to 2017.The aim of the study was to conduct a descriptive retrospective review maternal death causes, trends and contributory factors of maternal death in Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in the year 2013 to 2017. Methodology: It was a retrospective analysis, quantitative and descriptive study where 202 maternal death patients whose age was between 18 and 45 years old and were admitted in NMAH. Two hundred patient’s files were reviewed and analysed over. Only record files of patient’s that were admitted and died in Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Umtata due to pregnancy related conditions. Data were collected over a period of twelve weeks and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The main primary causes of maternal deaths at NMAH were non-pregnancy-related, infections and avoidable factors that included lack of appropriately trained specialist and health personnel; delay in initiating care or delay of referrals; lack of blood products; managing patients at an inappropriate level of care; problem recognition; and sub-standard care in the referral hospitals. The patient related contributory factors were unbooked patients, delay in seeking help and patients’ refusal of medication or surgery or advice for religious reasons.