TITLE:
Socio-Medical and Demographic Factors Associated with Perinatal Mortality in a Southern Benin Health Zone Hospital in 2020: A Case-Control Study
AUTHORS:
Charles Sossa Jerome, Lamidhi Salami, Vicentia Akpédjé Gladis Cadete, Vignon Bedie, Yolaine Glele-Ahanhanzo, Patrick Charles Makoutode, Badirou Aguemon
KEYWORDS:
Perinatal Mortality, Associated Factors, Antenatal Care, Benin
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Preventive Medicine,
Vol.13 No.8,
August
31,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: Perinatal mortality remains a major public health concern in developing countries such as Benin. To better steer response interventions, this study was carried out in southern Benin with the aim of identifying the demographic and socio-medical factors linked to perinatal mortality. Methods: The case-control study, held from January 1 to December 31, 2020, covered 154 targets, including 77 cases of neonates deceased within the perinatal period and 77 live-born control neonates selected on a one-for-one basis. Univariate analysis using the McNemar test and logistic regression were used to identify risk factors for perinatal mortality, at a 5% threshold of significance. Results: Sahoué/mina ethnicities, only associated socio-demographic characteristic, increased the risk of perinatal death by 2.47 times (p = 0.008). Mother’s age, education, occupation, marital status, and household size were not associated (p > 0.05). Risk of death was increased 2.5 times when the mother was referred (p = 0.007), 3.3 times when she came from a hard-to-reach locality (p Conclusion: Although attention must also be paid to referral and access to care, this study identifies antenatal consultation as the main target of any intervention to reduce perinatal mortality.