Stillbirths in Cameroon: An analysis of the 1998–2011 Demographic and Health Surveys

Background: Many countries including Cameroon have been finding it challenging to have accurate estimates of stillbirths, as there are no figures that have previously been routinely reported. The objective of this analysis was to estimate stillbirth rates and identify risk factors for stillbirth in Cameroon, using successive Demographic and Health Survey data. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data collected during the Demographic and Health Surveys carried out in 1998, 2004 and 2011. Stillbirth was defined as a late fetal death occurring at or beyond 6 months of gestation. Stillbirth rates were estimated over the total number of births. Results The crude stillbirth rate was 21,4‰ in 2004 and 24‰ in 2011 with respective standard errors of 1.8 and 1.3. The stillbirth rate tended to increase with the age of the mother (p < 0.001). The reduction of stillbirth rate has been extremely slow between 1998 and 2011, with an annual reduction rate of 1.5%. The study observed that residing in rural areas, low socio-economic status, and low level of education were risk factors associated with stillbirths. Conclusion The stillbirth rate remains very high in Cameroon, with a slow reduction rate over the last 20 years. Although some effort has been made, there is still a long way forward to bend the curve for stillbirths in Cameroon; supplementary strategies need to be designed and implemented, especially among rural women, the poor and less educated.