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Maternal mortality in Australia, 1973-1996
Elizabeth A Sullivan1, Jane B Ford, Georgina Chambers
1AIHW National Perinatal Statistics Unit, Sydney Children's Hospital Campus, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia. e.sullivan@unsw.eu.au
The Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
|September 25, 2004
Summary
Maternal deaths in Australia declined significantly, but health inequalities persist for Indigenous mothers. Pulmonary embolism and cardiovascular disease remain key concerns, necessitating targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Maternal mortality has decreased in developed nations over recent decades.
- Understanding trends in maternal deaths is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an epidemiological overview of maternal deaths in Australia from 1973 to 1996.
- To identify trends, causes, and risk factors associated with maternal mortality.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of national maternal mortality data (1973-1996).
- Inclusion of direct and indirect maternal deaths within 42 days of pregnancy termination or delivery.
- Calculation of age-specific maternal mortality ratios and examination of leading causes.
Main Results:
- A total of 584 maternal deaths were recorded, with pulmonary embolism and hypertensive disorders as leading direct causes.
- Cardiovascular disease was the primary cause of indirect maternal deaths (41%).
- Maternal mortality ratio decreased from 12.7 to 6.2 per 100,000 confinements, but Indigenous mothers faced a threefold higher risk.
Conclusions:
- Despite overall declines, significant health inequalities persist, particularly for Indigenous mothers.
- While mortality in older women has reduced, those with cardiovascular disease remain at higher risk.
- High rates of pulmonary embolism deaths require focused public health attention and intervention strategies.