[Maternal mortality in the Huichol area of Jalisco state, Mexico. The Study Group on Maternal Mortality]

With the aim of estimating the level of maternal mortality, a field survey in 349 Huichol families was carried out from August 1990 to August 1991, using an ad-hoc questionnaire. In 208 deliveries, five maternal deaths were recorded, rendering a maternal mortality rate of 2,403.8 per 100,000 live births. This is a considerably higher rate than those reported at the state and national levels, as well as in other municipalities of the region. All five deaths were due to direct maternal causes and took place during the puerperium. None of the patients received medical care. The high maternal mortality rate observed among Huichol groups can be explained by their disadvantageous social conditions, their lack of access to health care, and also their cultural patterns which, in turn, determine their reproductive behaviour. All these elements place Huichol groups among the worst served populations in Mexico.