Obstetric quality assurance to reduce maternal and fetal mortality in Kano and Kaduna State hospitals in Nigeria

Objective: To achieve Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 in Nigeria, a quality assurance project in obstetrics in 10 hospitals in northern Nigeria was established to improve maternal and fetal outcome.

Methods: The project commenced in January 2008 with assessment and improvement of the structure of the 10 hospitals. Continuous maternal and fetal data collection and analysis were conducted from 2008 to 2009 by means of a maternity record book and structured monthly summary form. The quality of hospital infrastructure and equipment was also assessed.

Results: The mean maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was reduced from 1790 per 100000 births in the first half of 2008 to 940 per 100000 births in the second half of 2009. The average fetal mortality ratio (FMR) decreased slightly from 84.9 to 83.5 per 1000 births. There was an inversely proportional relationship between the total number of deliveries in a hospital and MMR and FMR. There was a close correlation between the MMR and the equipment status and hygiene conditions of the hospitals.

Conclusion: Continuous monitoring of quality assurance in maternity units raised the awareness of the quality of obstetric performance and improved the quality of care provided, thereby improving MMR.