Maternal Mortality Ratio and Its Causes in the Far North Region of Cameroon

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Objectives: To analyze the epidemiology of maternal deaths in the Far North Region of Cameroon. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study covering the period from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2025. The study focused on deaths occurring among pregnant women, during childbirth, or in the postpartum period. For in-hospital data, we used death and delivery registries to calculate the maternal mortality ratio and notification forms to identify the causes of death. For regional data, we consulted the DHIS2 database. Results: At the Maroua Regional Hospital (MRH), we identified 217 maternal deaths, representing an estimated maternal mortality rate of 1,330 per 100,000 live births. Across the entire Far North region, there were 1,507 maternal deaths, for a rate of 275 per 100,000 live births. At the MRH, the trend showed the lowest rates between 2022 and 2023, periods when the department had the largest number of staff (at least 4 obstetrician-gynecologists and 30 midwives). Deaths at the regional hospital represented 20.11% of all in-hospital deaths in the entire Far North region. The most affected age group was 20-29 years old, at 44.7%; the unemployed accounted for 89.3%. The highest percentage of women was unschooled (63.3%). The majority (53.9%) had not received any antenatal care. Deliveries took place at home in 10.7% of cases. 74.65% of these women were referred. The direct causes of death were hypertensive disorders (24,42%), followed by septicemia, and postpartum hemorrhage (20.28% each)The leading indirect cause was severe anemia, observed in 11.52% of cases. Conclusion: The maternal mortality rate, although decreasing, remains high in the Far North region. The affected women are young and referred by lower-level health facilities. Hypertensive disorders are the leading direct cause of these deaths. Each death should be systematically audited to better understand the related dysfunctions and to reduce this rate in the F