The Incidence of Maternal Near-Miss in Kenya

Taylor Riley , Guttmacher Institute
Michael M. Mutua, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
Kenneth Juma, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
Martin Bangha, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
Joshua Amo-Adjei, University of Cape Coast
Onikepe Owolabi, Guttmacher Institute

Maternal mortality in Kenya is estimated at 510 deaths per 100,000 live births, and there is limited national information on the burden of maternal morbidity, as well as its causes and determinants. Maternal near-miss (MNM) events are defined as women who nearly died but survived a complication that occurred during pregnancy, childbirth or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy. MNM cases occur more frequently than maternal deaths in contexts where maternal mortality is high, and may be a preferred indicator of quality of obstetric care. The aim of this study is to describe the incidence and causes of MNM in Kenya. We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study among women who experience MNM in a nationally representative sample of referral facilities in Kenya. This study will strengthen the evidence base of causes and determinants of maternal morbidity and mortality as well as the quality of maternal health care in Kenya.

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 Presented in Session 68. Capturing Hard-to-Measure Outcomes in Sexual and Reproductive Health