Levels and determinants of perinatal mortality in central Sudan.

OBJECTIVES

To determine levels and risk factors for perinatal mortality in Central Sudan.

METHODS

Hospital and community based studies were conducted during the period 1989-1990. Of 5328 births registered in the hospital, 197 stillborns and 812 live-born infants were included in a nested case-control study. In the community, a follow-up study was conducted on 1592 midwife-assisted home deliveries. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of perinatal mortality and adjusted population attributable risks were estimated to assess the contribution of each factor.

RESULTS

The perinatal mortality rate was 85.4/1000 births in the hospital population and 29.4/1000 births in the community population. The major risk factors for perinatal mortality in the hospital and the community studies were similar and modifiable.

CONCLUSIONS

To lower perinatal mortality, improvements in maternal nutrition, malaria treatment and control, avoidance of agricultural pesticides during pregnancy, and adequate antenatal and intrapartum care are recommended.