Maternal mortality rate due to delivery is still very high in Africa and it is strictly linked to economical and ecological factors. This study was carried out in Dakar where at the local maternity hospital there were 498 maternal deaths over 65425 deliveries. Several factors have a great influence on maternal mortality: 1) seasonal variations the highest mortality reaching its peak in January February and March (the cold season) and in September October November (the rain season); 2) age and parity of women the risk being higher for women over 30 or with parity over 5; 3) ethnic factors women belonging to the Oulofs or Peulhs tribes having the highest risk; 4) distance to the hospital from the place of origin; 5) length of staying at the hospital prior to delivery 1/4 of patients dying almost at arrival without possibility of any therapeutic help. Maternal mortality rates vary enormously between developed and underdeveloped countries where modern technologies are not yet available.
