Maternal Complications Among Women with Disabilities in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
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Date
2024
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Abstract
Background: Maternal complications are the third most common cause of maternal mortality, contributing to a
significant percentage of all maternal deaths, with the largest burden estimated in developing countries, especially in
Africa. Many studies have been conducted in relation to maternal complications experienced by women in different
parts of the world; little attention has been given to women with disabilities in relation to their pregnancy outcomes
or complications. This study sought to explore maternal complications among women with different types of
disabilities in the City of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional survey (using a semi-structured questionnaire) was conducted on 71
women living with disabilities accessed through the register kept at the National Council for Disabled Persons of
Zimbabwe. The collected data were cleaned, coded, and analyzed using STATA version 15. Logistic regression
analysis was used to determine the factors contributing to maternal complications. Descriptive analyses were
conducted to explore participants’ sociodemographic and disability profiles and cross-tabulation of different types of
disability and maternal complications experienced. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Regression analysis
was performed to ascertain the relationship between disability and maternal complications.
Results: The findings showed that the most dominant age was the 26-35 age group (40.07%), while the types of
disabilities that were most noted were wheelchair-bound (25%), deaf (26.4%), and speech impairment (26.4%). An
association was established between level of education (p = 0.000), employment status (p = 0.0033), and different
types of disability. Gravida (p-value 0.04), number of live births (p-value 0.022), deformed limbs (p-value 0.014), and
age group were established to be significant in terms of contributing to maternal complications. There was no
statistical evidence for an association between disability and maternal complications.
Conclusion: Overall, women with disabilities experience maternal complications similar to those of other women.
However, some contributing factors may aggravate the occurrence of maternal complications in women with
disabilities. Provision of adequate resources and improvement of infrastructure in health facilities to cater to women
with disabilities
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Mpofu L, Mudonhi N, Mpofu M, Sibanda N, Nunu W, Ndlovu V, Manyeruke N. 2024. Maternal Complications Among Women with Disabilities in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Open Public Health Journal. 17: e18749445334660. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0118749445334660240911113737