A case-control survey was conducted to estimate the risk of perinatal mortality in four maternity hospitals in the Lomami provincial division in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The perinatal mortality rate was 235 per 1,000 births, with a stillbirth rate of 216 per 1,000 births and early neonatal mortality of 24.4 per 1,000 births. An assessment of risk factors was conducted on 417 perinatal deaths and 1356 survivors. Worst socio-demographic variables such as maternal age greater than or equal to 35, celibacy, polygamy, primiparity, large multiparity, lack of employment or maternal employment in the private sector were significantly associated at the risk of perinatal mortality. The health variables such as access in reference mode, caesarean section, hysterectomy, laparotomy, ante and post partum haemorrhage, uterine rupture, delivery date, prolonged labor, labor absence of staff with surgical profiles, inadequate equipment and maternal death were also associated with the high risk of perinatal mortality. The results of this study indicate that a risk assessment of perinatal mortality can be performed using socio-demographic data from the mother and medicinals.

Introduction: Our study is of the cross-sectional descriptive type designed to estimate Unmet Need for Obstetric Care (BONC) in four general referral hospitals in the Lomami Provincial Division in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Objectives: To determine unmet obstetric needs in terms of material, human and technical resources, to quantify this need for deficits in major obstetric interventions. Results: The study revealed huge deficit rates in three hospitals: 89 in Lubao, 70 in Tshofa and 66 in Lulu and negative growth in a hospital in Kabinda. The ratio of skilled birth to skilled personnel with a surgical profile is very high as the norm requires: 683 and 398 in Kabinda, 308 and 154 in Lulu, 213 and 116 in Lubao, 185 and 74 in Tshofa. Maternity equipment occupancy rates are 44.7 in Kabinda, 40.2 in Lulu, 24.7 in Tshofa and 18.3 in Lubao. Conclusion: The unmet obstetric needs identified in these four referral hospitals are both technical, human and material. These deficits favor the inefficiency of major obstetric interventions.