CAN WE REDUCE MATERNAL MORTALITY

Objective: The objective of this study is to find out the maternal mortality ratein our setup and found the preventable causes of maternal mortality rate. Design: Descriptivestudy. Place and duration of study: In obstetric ward of Liaquat university hospital Hyderabadfrom 10th Feb 2011 to 10th Jan 2014. Patients and Methods: All the women who were died dueto pregnancy complications were included in the study while women who were not died due topregnancy complications and maternal deaths due to accidental or incidental causes duringpregnancy were excluded from the study. Details of patient’s history especially age, parity,socioeconomic condition, reason of death, antenatal status, and distance from hospital wererecorded on predesigned proforma. Results: Total 48563 deliveries were conducted during thestudy period. Out of these, 103 women died, so the maternal mortality rate was 212.09/ 100,000live birth. Majority of women i.e. 43(41.74%) died; belong from age group of 31-40 years.Majority of women i.e. 78(75.72%) belonged to poor socioeconomic group and 83(80.58%)women had not received antenatal care. Most common cause of maternal mortality in thisstudy was hypertensive disorder which was seen in 43(41.74%) followed by APH in 39(37.86%)and PPH seen in 6(5.82%) patients .The most common cause of delay in seeking health carefacility was lack of transport reported by 43(41.74%) patients and familial taboos reported by36(34.95%) patients. Conclusions: Most important cause of maternal mortality in our studywas hypertensive disorders, APH and PPH. Maternal mortality was highest in advancing age,increased parity and in unbooked patients.