Causes of maternal mortality: Our scenario

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the cases of maternal mortality over a period of 3 years with regard to direct, indirect and associated causes and social correlates. Materials and methods: Retrospective evaluation of the cases with respect to causes, admission to mortality interval, age, parity, antenatal booking, socioeconomic status, etc. and systemic analysis of all contributing factors. Result and observation: A total of 66.67% of the deaths were due to direct causes with obstetric hemorrhage being the most common cause followed by puerperal sepsis. Anemia was the most important indirect cause followed by hepatitis and cardiovascular diseases. Conclusion: A large number of maternal deaths seem to be avoidable if we are able to strengthen our maternity and child health services. Equally important, however, remains the upgradation of the status of females in the society with emphasis on literacy and general health awareness.