Health experts in Acholi sub region have blamed the high rate of perinatal mortality in the region to teenage pregnancies.
According to reports by the district health departments, at least 1,342 cases of perinatal mortality have been registered across the 337 health facilities in the region.
Of the 1,342 cases, Gulu City registered the highest number of mortality 554 cases, followed by Kitgum district with 219 cases, Agago recorded 166 cases, Nwoya district with 113 cases, Lamwo 81 cases, Omoro 62 cases, Pader with 61 cases, Amuru 50 aces and lastly Gulu with 31cases.
The cases were registered between July 2022 to June 2023.
According to Kenneth Cana, the Acting Gulu District Health Officer, said the sharp rise in cases of perinatal death is due to the high rate of teenage pregnancies being registered in the region.
According to Cana, the majority of the young girls do not go for antenatal care and also don’t even know how to take care of pregnancies leading to perinatal death.
He also attributed the causes to other factors like malaria, domestic violence, stress, failure by women to go for antenatal care and also lack of proper care.
Cana has called upon the mothers and young girls to always seek medical services when they are pregnant so that they are helped.
Peter Mukobi, the Director Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, said there is need for an intensified health education if they are to reduce the high rate of perinatal mortality.
Perinatal mortality refers to the death of a fetus or neonate and is the basis to calculate the perinatal mortality rate.
It is estimated annually that there are 4 million neonatal deaths, approximately 3.3 million stillbirths and 99% of these deaths occur in low -income and middle-income countries.
In Uganda the perinatal mortality rate stands at 70 deaths per total 1000 births which is unacceptably high. Although the majority of the deliveries occur at home, substandard obstetric care in the different hospitals continues to be a cause of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality.
Hospital-based studies in low-income countries have shown that up to 3 out of 4 perinatal deaths may be due to suboptimal care.
