Bayesian Additive Modeling of Maternal Mortality In Ghana

Abstract Maternal mortality is a critical measure for quality of health system in any country and hence many countries have made concerted efforts to check its occurrence. Various stakeholders involved in the management of health system in Ghana have been tasked to ensure women do not die whilst giving birth. This study was conducted on a sample of 1,052 women selected from all the ten administrative regions of Ghana in which 188 maternal deaths occurred. Two main analytical tools, namely the Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial Regression and Bayesian Additive Posterior Modeling using IN LA were used. Age at death, Marital Status, and Place of Death emerged as the most significant determinants of maternal mortality in Ghana. It was realized that high number of maternal deaths were recorded in the least developed regions with Northern Region having the highest number of Maternal Deaths. It is therefore important for stakeholders to devise a road map of getting health workers to accept postings to the rural areas and also provide well resourced health facilities to stem this menace.