Analysis of maternal deaths in Jima Hospital southwestern Ethiopia

From 28 October 1991 to 30 December 1992, in Jima Hospital, a teaching hospital serving a predominantly rural population in southwestern Ethiopia, there were 841 deliveries and 573 abortions with 22 maternal deaths, a maternal mortality rate of 26 per thousand live births. Direct obstetric causes accounted for 19 of the 22 deaths. The non-obstetric causes were one case each of intestinal obstruction, cerebral malaria and pneumonia. The most frequent causes of death were illegal abortion in nine, ruptured uterus in six and post partum haemorrhage (PPH) in three. Half of the deaths occurred within 24 hours of admission. The causes of maternal death are analyzed and possible preventive measures are suggested.