Maternal morbidity and associated factors at a tertiary care Centre in Karachi: A critical analysis

The study was conducted to identify maternal morbidity and associated factors such intensive care unit admission and surgical intervention.

Pregnant and six-week post-partum women without any other comorbidy were recruited from January 2014 to December 2015 from the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi. A structurally designed questionnaire was used to record demographic data and factors related to the management and intervention of maternal conclusions.

A total of 213 patients were included in the study, with an average age of 27.87 ± 5.26 years, mean parity of 2.02 ± 1.88 and mean gestational period of 32.48 ± 7.93. The details of 186 neonatal cases were also recorded: 47 neonates were admitted to the intensive care unit, while 23 were kept on ventilation. The primary complication was post-partum hemorrhage. The most common intervention methods used was lower segment cesarean section.

The concept of maternal morbidity is developing as a new indicator for the assessment of maternal healthcare services. Public health awareness programs should be conducted for health professionals to combat the high incidence of maternal morbidity.