While maternal mortality has declined worldwide in the past 25 years, this is not the case for Cameroon. Since there is a predominantly young population in this country, high maternal mortality ratios may persist. Maternal mortality ratios vary within countries, yet it is unknown if the North and South, the most distinct parts of Cameroon, differ in terms of ratios and determinants of maternal mortality. This study explored ratios and determinants of maternal mortality in women of childbearing age (15–49 years) and assessed differences between the North and South. We used the Cameroon Demographic and Health Surveys (2004 and 2011) to extract a sample of 18,665 living or deceased women who had given birth. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between maternal mortality and sociocultural, economic and healthcare factors. Maternal mortality ratios were different for the two regions and increased in the North in 2011 compared to 2004. In the North, any level of education and being Muslim were protective against maternal mortality. Meanwhile, the odds of maternal mortality decreased with increasing age, and having secondary or higher education in the South. Domestic violence and ethnicity were associated with maternal death in the South. Increasing parity was protective of maternal death in both the North and South. Maternal mortality ratios and determinants varied between women of childbearing age in the North and South of Cameroon. These reinforce recommendations for region specific strategies that will improve health communication, community education programs, curb domestic violence and train more community health workers to connect pregnant women with the health system. Programs to reduce maternal death among women with low parity and little or no education should be national priority.

中文翻译：

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孕产妇死亡率的比率和决定因素：喀麦隆北部和南部地区地理差异的比较

尽管过去 25 年来全球孕产妇死亡率有所下降，但喀麦隆的情况并非如此。由于该国的人口主要是年轻人，因此孕产妇死亡率可能会持续居高不下。各国的孕产妇死亡率各不相同，但尚不清楚喀麦隆最独特的地区北部和南部在孕产妇死亡率的比率和决定因素方面是否存在差异。本研究探讨了育龄妇女（15-49 岁）孕产妇死亡率的比率和决定因素，并评估了南北之间的差异。我们利用喀麦隆人口和健康调查（2004 年和 2011 年）提取了 18,665 名在世或已故的生育过的妇女样本。采用多变量逻辑回归探讨孕产妇死亡率与社会文化、经济和医疗保健因素之间的关系。两个地区的孕产妇死亡率有所不同，2011 年北部地区的孕产妇死亡率比 2004 年有所上升。在北部地区，任何教育水平和穆斯林身份都可以降低孕产妇死亡率。与此同时，在南方，孕产妇死亡率随着年龄的增长以及受过中等或高等教育而下降。家庭暴力和种族与南方孕产妇死亡有关。增加均等性有助于减少北方和南方的孕产妇死亡。喀麦隆北部和南部育龄妇女的孕产妇死亡率和决定因素各不相同。这些强化了针对特定区域战略的建议，这些战略将改善健康沟通、社区教育计划、遏制家庭暴力并培训更多社区卫生工作者将孕妇与卫生系统联系起来。减少生育率低、受教育程度低或没有受教育的妇女的孕产妇死亡率的计划应成为国家优先事项。