REVIEW ARTICLE: Prevalence, Mortality Rate and Risk Factors of Obstetrics-Related Venous Thromboembolism in Africa: A Systematic Review

West Afr J Med. June 2025; 42(6): 506-516 PMID: 41252748

Authors

  • T. U. Nwagha Department of Haematology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla, Nigeria.
  • C. P. Ojukwu
  • M. Nweke Department of Physiotherapy, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
  • U. I. Nwagha Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla, Nigeria.

Keywords:

Africa, Epidemiology, Obstetrics, Pregnancy puerperium, Venous thromboembolism

Abstract

Background: Obstetric-related venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in Africa. However, management has remained suboptimal. Evaluating its epidemiology will aid policy decisions.

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence, mortality rate and risk factors of obstetrics-related venous thromboembolism in Africa.

Search strategy: We searched four databases namely MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and Academic Search Complete.

Data collection and selection: We undertook independent screening to identify relevant articles. Only peer-reviewed articles written and published in English were included.

Data analysis: We fitted a random-effect model to estimate the pooled prevalence and mortality rates, with I2 computed to estimate the degree of heterogeneity.

Result: Prevalence of obstetrics-related VTE varied between 2 (per 100,000 deliveries) in 2000 and 248 (per 100,000 births) in 2020. The pooled prevalence was 17 per 100,000 births (95% CI 6-480/100,000 births). Two most important risk factors were immobilization/prolonged travel (OR=2.5 [95% CI 1.4 - 4.5] to 18 (95% CI 2.3-137) and oral contraceptive (OR=15.9, [95% CI 1.9-133.1]). VTE-related maternal mortality ranged from 33 to 286 per 100,000 live births.

Conclusion: Moving from 2000 to 2020, there is an increasing trend in the prevalence of obstetrics-related VTE and associated maternal mortality in Africa. The strength of risk factors of obstetrics-related VTE in Africa may not follow a global risk stratification pattern.

Author Biography

C. P. Ojukwu

Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria.

Department of Physiotherapy, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

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Published

2025-06-30

Issue

Vol. 42 No. 6 (2025): The West African Journal of Medicine

Section

Review Article