Prof. Oladapo Ladipo, the President of the Association for Reproductive and Family Health, said in Abuja on Thursday that 25 per cent of pregnancies in Nigeria were at “high risk” because of various factors.
Ladipo, in an interview with newsmen, listed some of the factors as underage pregnancies, frequent pregnancies and late child bearing.
He said these were pregnancies considered high risk and contributory to the high maternal mortality and morbidity in Nigeria.
He said: “Nigeria is contributing about 10 per cent of the global maternal deaths and the causes of maternal deaths vary.
“From a medical point of view, haemorrhage – women bleeding before they get into labour or during labour or immediately after delivery – are major causes of death.
“We have infection as another major cause of death.
“Also noted is hypertensive condition in pregnancy, prolonged obstructed labour, abortion, malaria and HIV/AIDS.”
Ladipo said the implementation of universal health coverage and the passage of the national health bill were measures that would help to reduce maternal mortality ratio in Nigeria.
Ladipo called for improved health literacy for women, saying they should be enlightened on the advantages of attending antenatal clinics and giving birth in health facilities.
He emphasised the need for continued training of health workers but noted that there was a shortage of such workers in rural areas.
“In Nigeria, when you look at doctors and nurses population, you think they are many but there is inequity in the distribution of the health workforce,” Ladipo said.
He urged government to invest more in family planning services.
According to him, there are up to 20 per cent of mothers who do not want to have another pregnancy but have no access to safe and effective contraceptive methods.
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