High-Risk Pregnancies and Perceptions of Maternal Mortality among Women in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study is on high-risk pregnancies and perceptions of maternal mortality among women in Plateau State of Nigeria. Three (3) research questions were stated to guide the study. Relevant literatures were reviewed. Both primary and secondary data were explored for the study and quantitative and qualitative techniques of data collection were triangulated for analysis. Yamane’s sample size determination was used to determine the adequacy of sample. Questionnaires were administered on 300 respondents who were women within reproductive ages (15-49); in-depth interviews were conducted on 16 key informants drawn from medical personnel and women within reproductive ages in the study area. In addition, 7 focus group discussions (FGDs) consisting of 84 participants (12 in each group) were carried out. Data were analyzed and findings revealed that religion, education and culture influenced high-risk pregnancies and high-risk pregnancies were major contributory factors to the high-rate of maternal mortality in Plateau state. Every pregnancy was found to be associated with high-risk due to obstetric factors, medical conditions and unpredicted outcomes. Based on these findings, the study recommends among other that Social Workers and Sociologists as well as Medical Personnel should educate women on the need to prevent unwanted and early pregnancies and to engage in family planning, as well as regular attendance of ante-natal clinics.