Demographic, social and health system factors associated with maternal mortality in Pakistan: A nested case-control study

Abstract

Background Pakistan has experienced a significant reduction in maternal mortality with a decline of 33 percent between 2006 and 2019. However, the country still grapples with a high number (186 per 100,000 live births) of maternal deaths each year. This study aims to identify socio-demographic and health system related factors associated with maternal mortality. Methods Using the nested case-control design, we conducted an in-depth analysis of Pakistan Maternal Mortality Survey (PMMS) 2019. We identified 147 maternal deaths occurring within three years prior to the PMMS 2019 as “cases” and 724 women who gave birth and were alive during the same period as “controls”. Socio-demographic characteristics of cases and controls were compared, and multivariate regression was employed to investigate the predictors of maternal mortality in Pakistan. Results Cases and controls were similar on access to antenatal care (ANC) and ANC provider but differed on age, education, number of pregnancies, type of delivery, tetanus toxoid vaccination during last pregnancy, and contraceptive usage. A higher proportion of cases had deliveries by skilled birth attendants (83% compared to 63% among controls) while home deliveries were more common among controls (32% compared to 25% among cases). Odds of maternal death were lowest among women aged 20-29 years (odds ratio-OR: 0.5; 95% CI 0.23-1.07) and those with secondary or higher education (OR: 0.35; 95% CI 0.17-0.74). Surprisingly, deliveries attended by skilled birth attendants were associated with higher odds of maternal death (OR: 4.07; 95% CI 2.19-7.57) compared to those who were not. Conclusion This study identifies secondary or higher maternal education, having had tetanus injection during the last pregnancy, ever-used contraception or being in the age group of 20-29 years were factors associated with lower risk of maternal mortality. Conversely, skilled birth attendance increases the risk of maternal death in Pakistan. Further investigation is needed into the determinants of high maternal mortality.