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A study of maternal mortality in 8 principal hospitals in Pakistan in 2009
Naheed Bano1, Rizwana Chaudhri, Lubna Yasmeen
1Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit-I, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. naheedlari@hotmail.com
Objectives:
To determine maternal mortality to assess the achievement of Millennium Development Goal 5 in Pakistan and suggest remedial measures.
Methods:
Throughout 2009, maternal deaths occurring in obstetrics and gynecology departments in 8 hospitals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, were recorded. A data form was filled in by the duty registrar at the time of death. Data were analyzed via SPSS.
Results:
During the study period, there were 47209 live births and 108 maternal deaths (age 17-45 years). Among those who died, 30% were primigravidas, 50% had a parity of 1-4, and 20% had a parity of 5 or more; 20.4% had not delivered, 40.7% had vaginal delivery, and 36.1% had cesarean delivery; 67.6% were unbooked and 32.4% were booked (14 under care of a consultant and 21 under care of a medical officer); 73%, 22%, and 5% died in the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively; 17.5% died prenatally, 4.6% during labor, and 78% postpartum; 73% were in a critical condition and 8% were dead on arrival. Eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, and sepsis caused 23, 13, and 13 deaths, respectively.
Conclusion:
Maternal death can be effectively managed by skilled care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.