Contextual Approaches to Curbing Maternal Mortality the Women Perspective, Case of the Mifi Health District of Cameroon: A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Maternal mortality remains a significant public health challenge in Cameroon, despite various interventions, including the Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) strategy. It increased from 430 per 100,000 live births in 1991 to 782 in 2011, with a recent reduction to 406 per 100,000 live births in Cameroon remaining higher than SDG highest targets of 140 per 100,000 live births. This led to this study which aimed to develop a contextual approach to curbing maternal mortality in the MIFI Health District by analyzing the challenges, roles and perceptions of key women. Methods: The sampling technique was non-probabilistic by convenience sampling for the recruitment of participants. The study population consisted of women at post-partum. The instruments for data collection were well-structured questionnaires. The data analysis was done using R for quantitative data. Results: The results showed that women’s population, main challenges were, late ANC attendance which was significantly associated with maternal challenges (p = 0.033). Women’s roles were identified as attending ANC (Antenatal Care) regularly, following counseling and advice, educating peers, and participating in community awareness programs. Their perceptions, 87.74% believed women can help curb maternal mortality (p = 0.0016). Conclusion: The outstanding challenges were lack of ANC attendance, bad ANC timing for those who attend. Distance to health facilities was significant (p = 0.004). Women living farther away (5 hours) experienced more challenges confirming the “Three Delays Model”, Delay in deciding to seek care, Delay in reaching care, Delay in receiving care.