Harare Hospital maternal mortality report for 1987 and a comparison with previous reports

There were 39 maternal deaths at Harare Hospital during 1987, giving a maternal mortality rate of 122/100,000 live births. If women who lived outside the Harare Municipality were excluded, the maternal mortality rate for the Greater Harare Maternity Unit was 53/100,000 live births. The cases were reviewed at monthly meetings in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Hypertensive disease in pregnancy caused 28pc of the deaths with haemorrhage, puerperal sepsis and abortion accounting for 18pc each. Avoidable factors were felt to be present in 88pc of cases and these are discussed.