The évolution of perinatal Mortality in the Tshopo province since the launch of the objectives of the sustainable development
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Abstract
The third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) aims to reduce mortality and morbidity rates across all age groups, with particular attention to mothers and children. This study was initiated to describe the evolution of perinatal mortality (PM) reported in the Tshopo province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, from the launch of these SDGs in 2015 until six years before the deadline.
A retrospective study was conducted in the Tshopo province over a period from 2015 to 2024, covering the last decade, using data provided by the Provincial Health Division (DPS) of Tshopo. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016 and jamovi version 2.6.13. Linear regression and Spearman correlation were used to describe the evolving trends of births and perinatal mortality in Tshopo. There has been an increase in births over time, rising from 90,419 in 2015 to 137,668 in 2024 (y = 4806.4x + 87125 and R² = 0.8081). This number may exceed 160,000 by 2030. Regarding perinatal mortality, the province has recorded a decrease of approximately 0.5132‰ each year since the launch of the SDGs. This decrease is explained over time at a rate of 35.6% (y = -0.5132x + 14.339; R² = 0.3562). This mortality is high in rural health zones and low in urban areas. It remained constant from 2017 to 2022 in peri-urban areas. A positive correlation was also observed between the number of births (p < 0.01) and the years, and a negative correlation between the PM rate and the passage of time (p < 0.05). The number of births continues to grow in the Tshopo province. Over time, the strategies of SDG 3-2 have significantly contributed to the improvement of quality of life in perinatal health according to the data reported by the DPS Tshopo during the last decade and analyzed in this study. The course should be maintained to hope for a continued decrease in PM in Tshopo. Health services should also consider increasing their offerings by at least 13% to maintain this course by 2030.
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