Abortion and severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia remain the major causes of maternal
mortality in Zimbabwe. Based on this problem, factors associated with maternal
mortality due to abortion and severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia were investigated to
improve pregnancy outcomes.
Cases and controls were selected from 4895 abortion and 318 severe preeclampsia/
eclampsia obstetric records to conduct a retrospective case-control study.
Significant risk factors identified for reducing maternal mortality due to postabortion
complications included the administration of oxytocic drugs and evacuations of the
uterus whilst anaemia and sepsis apparently reduced these women's chances of
survival. No significant factors could be identified which influenced maternal deaths
among women suffering from severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. Magnesium sulphate
was not routinely administered, as recommended internationally. In both groups,
cases apparently received better reported quantitative care than controls.
Recommendations based on this research report include improved midwifery
education and in-service training, regular audits of patients' records and changed
policies for managing these conditions more effectively in Zimbabwe. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Advanced Nursing Sciences)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:umkn-dsp01.int.unisa.ac.za:10500/17533 |
| Date | 23 April 2001 |
| Creators | Mudokwenyu-Rawdon, Christina |
| Contributors | Bezuidenhout, M. C. (Martha Catharina), 1946-, Ehlers, Valerie Janet, 1948- |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | xii, 250 leaves. |
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