Prevalence and Risk Factors in Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality in the Hospital Environment of Kinshasa, DRC

This chapter aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of perinatal morbidity and mortality in hospitals in the City Province of Kinshasa. The outcome of neonates undergoing hospitalization at early postnatal life is associated with prenatal and postnatal morbidities.

We conducted a descriptive-correlational cross-sectional study in the city province of Kinshasa, in two health zones drawn by lot in order to guarantee the random aspect of the participants. Data were entered in Excel 2013 and then exported to SPSS 21 software for statistical analysis. The determination of risk factors for perinatal morbidity and mortality is made possible thanks to logistic regression at the significance level of 0.05.

The prevalence of prematurity in the hospital setting was 13.8%; that of low birth weight was 5.6% and the perinatal mortality rate was 50.4 per thousand live births. The perinatal mortality rate was 50.4‰ with 35.1‰ of stillbirths and 15.9‰ of early neonatal mortality. The results of a logistic regression analysis indicated that birthing outside of a medical facility, polygamy, primigravida, strenuous work during pregnancy, the presence of at least two diseases during gestation, and lack of tetanus vaccination were risk factors for perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Improving the mother's sociodemographic, economic, and cultural circumstances as well as providing her with high-quality prenatal and postnatal care will be essential to ensuring the security of perinatal life. It would also be desirable to carry out similar larger studies for a broad reflection of this scourge throughout the City and the country as far as possible.