Community perception of maternal mortality in northeastern Nigeria.

This study was conducted to find out community's knowledge and perceived implications of maternal mortality and morbidity. The community members' perception on ways to prevent the scourge was also explored. It was a population-based qualitative study which took place in two urban and two rural communities in Borno state, Nigeria. A total of one hundred and sixty eight (168) community members participated in Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and in-depth interviews. Most agreed that there were maternal deaths in the communities. Many of the respondents identified at least two of the five main direct causes of maternal mortality that are universal. But many have misconceptions about the causes of maternal mortality. There were many implications narrated by the respondents and various suggestions made to improve on the poor Maternal Health in the areas. The knowledge and implications of maternal mortality was good in the areas and therefore intervention programs should exploit and capitalize on the linkages between the perceived implications and the causes of maternal deaths.