The rate of stillbirth at Asunafo North District of Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

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2005-11-10
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The study was undertaken to assess the rate of stillbirth in the Asunafo North District of the Brong Ahafo Region. Among the devastating consequences of stillbirth has been its prevalence in the developing world. Stillbirth is the death of an infant in utero and past twenty (20) completed gestational weeks. It is simply the death of the unborn babies. Some of the stillbirths are macerated and others are fresh which means the death occurred just before labour or in the course of delivery. For the purpose of the study seventy eight victims; that is women who have passed through the ordeal, and nine selected Health Personnel from all the five sub - districts were randomly selected and an in-depth study done to assess the causes of stillbirth in the district in order to find ways to reduce the incidence of the (RH) menace. Data were obtained from both primary and secondary source through the use of questionnaires, interviews and discussions with stakeholders and the review of existing literature. Data collected were processed and analyzed using STATA software. Results from the study indicated multi-factorial causes of the rate of stillbirth in the district under review. Forty —five out of seventy-eight representing 58% of women interviewed had a lower level of education. The income level of the women was below two hundred cedis (¢200,000.00) per month making it difficult for them to fend for themselves during pregnancy. The means of transport compounded the problem. Thirteen out of the forty-four representing 30% indicated that they were diagnosed to have jaundice leading to stillbirth. Nevertheless, delay in deciding to access the health facility by mothers contributed mostly to the rate of stillbirth in the district. It is recommended that the incidence of stillbirth could be reduced when a sub-committee of the District Assembly is constituted to report periodically to the Assembly for the provision of infrastructure like the improvement of the road network in the district. Effective advocacy on family planning related activities should be instituted to involve as many communities as possible and the awareness of the importance of antenatal health care should be improved.
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A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Health Education and Promotion, 2005
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