The use of the sisterhood method for estimating maternal mortality ratio in Lagos state, Nigeria

Summary

Estimates of maternal mortality are crucial to inform the planning of reproductive health programmes and guide advocacy. The aim of this study was to obtain a population-based estimate of maternal mortality in Lagos State, Nigeria. The sisterhood method was used in 2008 to carry out the survey using a questionnaire in which respondents were asked about their sisters who died during pregnancy, childbirth or within 6 weeks after childbirth. The survey involved 4,315 respondents who provided information on 9,910 ever married sisters. The life-time likelihood (risk) of maternal death for women aged 15–49 years was found to be 0.0239 or 1 in 42. The estimated maternal mortality ratio was 450 per 100,000 live births with a 95% CI of 360 and 530. Out of 111 reported deaths, 35 (31.5%) occurred during pregnancy, 49 (44.1%) occurred during delivery and 27 (24.3%) within 6 weeks of delivery.

Keywords::

• Lagos state
• maternal mortality ratio
• Nigeria
• sisterhood method

Acknowledgement

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Chicago, USA supported this research. The findings and conclusions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Foundation. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.