Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness Among Pregnant Women Attending an Urban Health Centre in Surat, India

Background: Birth preparedness is an important strategy to reduce MMR. It includes knowledge of key danger signs; identification of: birth place; birth attendant, fund, transport and compatible blood donor for emergency use beforehand. Objective: This study aims to explore birth preparedness in Surat and determine factors associated with it. Methods: Study conducted facility based cross-sectional study among 310 antenatal women at Urban Health Training Centre attached to Government Medical College, Surat, Gujarat. Predesigned, semi- structured, pretested questionnaire was used for data collection after acquiring informed written con-sent. Result: A total of 310 women participated in the study. Mean age of participants was 22.9 + 3.6 years. Almost one-third (30.3%) of participants were illiterate. Almost six-tenth (61.9%) of participants were involved in unskilled or semi-skilled work and two-fifth (38.1%) of participants were homemakers. Ma-jority of participants (96.7%) were registered in first trimester. Most known factor during pregnancy as danger sign was bleeding (81.9%). BPACR index was calculated as ∑Indicator/7 which was observed to be 62.3%. There was statistically significant association between awareness about health problems dur-ing pregnancy and type of family. Conclusion: Raising awareness regarding components of BPACR among antenatal women will help to reduce morbidity and mortality in antenatal women and achieve sustainable development goal

Determinants Of Maternal Mortality: An Empirical Study of Indian States Based on The Random Effect Model Analysis

Background: Healthcare for mothers and children is a significant indicator of a country's well-being. In-dia is one of the nations that were experiencing a rather slow improvement in maternal and child health. Aims: The objective of this study is to analyse the changes in health infrastructure, government health expenditure, antenatal care, postnatal care, institutional delivery, Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and the determinants of MMR in India. Methodology: The study is based on secondary data. It employs an Average Increasing Rate (AIR) and Average Reduction Rate (ARR), as well as a panel data random effect model. Results: Empirical results say MMR has a statistically significant inverse relationship with female litera-cy, Per capita Net State Domestic Product (PNSDP), and institutional delivery. The study concludes that after the introduction of NRHM and its constituent elements like JSY and JSSK, government expenditure on health, health infrastructure, the percentage of antenatal care, post-natal care, and institutional deliv-ery increased in most of the Indian states, thus helping to increase the pace of the reduction of MMR. However, state performance varies greatly. Conclusions: Policy alone will not provide the desired results; it is also critical to focus on education, particularly female literacy, and economic empowerment.

Temporal Evolution of Maternal Mortality: 1980-2019 / Evolução temporal da mortalidade materna: 1980-2019

Abstract Objective To determine the profile of maternal deaths occurred in the period between 2000 and 2019 in the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA, in the Portuguese acronym) and to compare it with maternal deaths between 1980 and 1999 in the same institution. Methods Retrospective study that analyzed 2,481 medical records of women between 10 and 49 years old who died between 2000 and 2018. The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee (CAAE 78021417600005327). Results After reviewing 2,481 medical records of women who died in reproductive age, 43 deaths had occurred during pregnancy or in the postpartum period. Of these, 28 were considered maternal deaths. The maternal mortality ratio was 37.6 per 100,000 live births. Regarding causes, 16 deaths (57.1%) were directly associated with pregnancy, 10 (35.1%) were indirectly associated, and 2 (7.1%) were unrelated. The main cause of death was hypertension during pregnancy (31.2%) followed by acute liver steatosis during pregnancy (25%). In the previous study, published in 2003 in the same institution4, the mortality rate was 129 per 100,000 live births, and most deaths were related to direct obstetric causes (62%). The main causes of death in this period were due to hypertensive complications (17.2%), followed by postcesarean infection (16%). Conclusion Compared with data before the decade of 2000, there was an important reduction in maternal deaths due to infectious causes.

Resumo Objetivo Determinar o perfil dos óbitos maternos ocorridos no período de 2000 a 2019 no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) e comparar com os óbitos maternos entre 1980 e 1999 na mesma instituição. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo que analisou 2.400 prontuários de mulheres entre 10 e 49 anos que morreram entre 2000 e 2019. O presente estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética (CAAE 78021417600005327). Resultados Após revisão de 2.481 prontuários de mulheres que morreram em idade reprodutiva, 43 mortes ocorreram durante a gravidez ou no período pós-parto. Destas, 28 foram considerados óbitos maternos. A taxa de mortalidade materna foi de 37.6 por 100.000 nascidos vivos. Em relação às causas, 16 óbitos (57.1%) estiveram diretamente associados à gravidez, 10 (35.1%) estiveram indiretamente associados e 2 (7.1%) não estiveram relacionados. A principal causa de morte foi hipertensão na gravidez (31.2%) seguida de esteatose hepática aguda da gravidez (25%). No estudo anterior, publicado em 2003 na mesma instituição4, a taxa de mortalidade foi de 129 por 100.000 nascidos vivos, e a maioria dos óbitos estava relacionada a causas obstétricas diretas (62%). As principais causas de óbito neste período foram por complicações hipertensivas (17.2%), seguidas de infecção pós-cesárea (16%). Conclusão Em comparação com os dados anteriores à década de 2000, houve uma redução importante das mortes maternas por causas infecciosas.

Clinical profile of maternal deaths due to postpartum haemorrhage

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage is one of the dreadful complications that occur during delivery. It is often un-anticipated and occurs suddenly and un-expectedly. It is responsible for 20 percent of maternal deaths in developing countries. These deaths are largely preventable. The objective of the study was to find out the clinical profile, associated co-morbid conditions and contributory factors and treatment modalities used in the management.Methods: Retrospective observational study of maternal deaths due to postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) was carried out at tertiary care hospital. The data of maternal deaths for seven years from year 2013 to 2019 was reviewed, compiled and analyzed to draw conclusions.Results: There were 18 maternal deaths (19%) due to PPH out of total 86 maternal deaths. The average age of the woman who died due to PPH was 24 years. Ninety five percent of the cases of PPH were due to atonic uterus. Seventy percent of the cases had reported in advanced stage of shock with average blood loss of more than two to three litres. Poor general condition due to delay in reaching to tertiary care hospital was predominant feature. Sixty percent women underwent obstetric hysterectomy. Massive blood transfusion was given in fifty percent cases. Severe pregnancy induced hypertension, severe anaemia and severe concealed accidental haemorrhage were common associated factors in sixty percent of maternal deaths.Conclusions: Postpartum haemorrhage is still a common cause of maternal death. Early detection, prompt aggressive management, adequate blood replacement, use of uterine balloon tamponade and non-pneumatic anti-shock garment, timely transfer to higher centre and timely decision for surgical interventions can prevent maternal deaths.

Study of maternal mortality in a tertiary care hospital in a tribal KBK area of Odisha, India

Background: Pregnancy, although being considered a physiological state, carries risk of serious maternal morbidity and at times death. This is due to various complications that may occur during pregnancy, labor, or thereafter. The major causes of maternal mortality are mostly preventable through regular antenatal check-up, proper diagnosis, and management of labor complications. Therefore, the factors at different levels affecting the use of these services need to be clearly understood. The aim is to study the incidence of MMR, assess the epidemiological aspects, causes of maternal mortality and avoidable factors that can prevent maternal deaths.Methods: A retrospective hospital-based study was conducted in obstetrics and gynecology department, SLN MCH, a tertiary care referral hospital in a tribal area of southern Odisha over a period of 2 years from April 2017 to March 2019.Results: A total of 108 deaths were analyzed over 2 years period and MMR was calculated to be 1124/1 lakh live births. Most of the maternal deaths occurred in the age group of 20-24 years (35.1%), majority of maternal deaths were observed in multipara (46.3%), 70.3% deaths occurred within 24 hours of admission. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (37%) were the leading direct cause followed by hemorrhage (14.8%) and sepsis (11.1%). Among the indirect causes jaundice (7.4%) and anaemia (3.7%) were the leading cause.Conclusions: MMR in our study was very high as compared to national average of 167/1,00,000 live births, being a tertiary care hospital as most of the patients were referred from peripheral centers. Most maternal deaths are preventable by intensive health education, basic obstetric care for all, strengthening referral and communication system and emphasizing on overall safe motherhood.

Assessment of awareness regarding obstetric and newborn danger signs among pregnant women and recently delivered mothers in urban slums of Raipur city, Chhattisgarh

Background: Knowledge regarding danger signs has been found helpful to reduce delays in seeking, reaching and obtaining care during obstetric emergencies. Aims & Objectives: To assess the awareness regarding obstetric and newborn danger signs among pregnant and recently delivered mothers residing in urban slums of Raipur city. Material & Methods: Observational study was conducted among 160 pregnant and 70 recently delivered women residing in urban slums. The assessment of awareness regarding danger signs was done by adding the marks obtained in various phases. Appropriate statistical tests were applied for any association between knowledge score and socio-demographic variables. Results: Subjects knowing at least one key danger sign during pregnancy, labour, postpartum and newborn period was 54.3%, 51.9%, 7.4%, and 11.3 % respectively. Those with age more than 20 years (p value 0.000), joint family (p value 0.000), educated more than 5 years (p value 0.009), and having married and getting first time pregnant after 20 years (p values 0.001 and 0.022 respectively) were found to have significantly more knowledge about danger signs. Conclusions: Knowledge regarding danger signs should be given at the time of every ANC visit and also at follow up visit after delivery.

Maternal mortality in tertiary care hospital: a 2-year review

Background: Epidemiological data pertaining to maternal mortality is valuable in each set up to design interventional programs to favourably reduce the ratio. This study was done to evaluate the maternal mortality rate in our hospital, to assess the epidemiological aspects and causes of maternal mortality, and to suggest recommendations for improvement.Methods: This was a 2-year retrospective study. Epidemiological data was collected from the Last 2 years of Facility Based Maternal Death Review Form. Maternal mortality ratio, epidemiological factors and causes affecting maternal mortality were assessed.Results: A total of 72 maternal deaths occurred. Most maternal deaths occurred in the age group of 20–24 years (40.27%), multiparous women (70.83%), women from rural areas (65.27%), illiterate women, unbooked patients (83.33%), and patients of low socioeconomic status. Direct causes accounted for 62.4% of maternal deaths where as 37.4% of maternal deaths were due to indirect causes.Conclusions: There is a wide scope for improvement as a large proportion of the observed deaths could be preventable.

Decline and Disparity in Maternal Mortality in Pre‑ and Post‑National Health Mission Period in India.

Country‑ and state‑wise maternal mortality shows the highest disparity among health statistics. The erstwhile National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in India aimed reduction in maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to <100 per lakh live births. Accordingly, many new initiatives were planned and started. This analysis was carried out using data from the Sample Registration System. The data from 1997 to 1998 are available which dates 8 years prior to the launching of NRHM. Hence, comparison period was considered as 8 years of implementation of NRHM. The overall decline in MMR prior to NRHM was 36% and after NRHM implementation 30%. The difference is not significant. The best states and lowest states had changed, but the disparity also has remained almost at the ratio of 1:5. The pace of decline has not increased after NRHM. As well disparity ratio has not reduced indicating the differentially better treatment to the vulnerable states was not adequate.

Reducción de la mortalidad materna antes y después de la implementación de oximetría de pulso en hospitales departamentales de Guatemala / Impact on the use of pulse oximeters in the reduction of maternal mortality in regional hospitals in Guatemala

Introducción: la oximetría de pulso es un método de monitoreo que permite evaluar la saturación arterial y la frecuencia cardíaca y con el cual es posible detectar de forma temprana episodios de hipoxia, bradicardia o taquicardia. Se ha implementado su uso como estrategia para disminuir las tasas de mortalidad. Guatemala recibió la donación de 142 oxímetros de pulso a 33 hospitales departamentales en noviembre del 2013. Objetivos: evaluar el impacto de la oximetría de pulso a través de la medición de la razón de mortalidad materna antes y después de su implementación en el área de recuperación de los hospitales departamentales del país. Métodos: Conocer la mortalidad materna por medio de datos publicados por el Ministerio de Salud de los años 2013 (antes de la implementación) y 2014 (después de la implementación). Resultados: La mortalidad materna disminuyó un 13.26% luego de la implementación de la oximetría de pulso, sin embargo no existe una diferencia significativa. Discusión: No es posible concluir que la causa de la disminución de la mortalidad materna se deba a la implementación de la oximetría pues, otros factores como mejora de calidad de vida, mayor acceso a servicios de salud se ven involucrados

Introduction: Pulse oximetry is a monitoring method that measure a patient´s arterial saturation and heart rate allowing to detect early signs of hypoxia, bradycardia or tachycardia. Its use has been implemented as a strategy to lower mortality rates. Guatemala received the donation of 142 pulse oximeters to 33 regional hospitals on November 2013. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pulse oximetry by measuring maternal mortality ratio before and after its implementation in these hospitals recovery rooms. Methods: Estimation of maternal mortality ratio from data published by the Ministry of Health during the years 2013 (before its implementation) and 2014 (after its implementation). Results: Maternal mortality ratio was 13.26% lower after the implementation of pulse oximetry, however there is no statistical significant difference. Discussion: Is not possible to conclude that the implementation of the pulse oximetry is the only reason in the decrease in maternal mortality since other factors like improvement in quality of life and more access to health services are also involved

Facility Based Maternal Death Review And Study Of Delays In Maternal Mortality.

Objective: To evaluate various causes of maternal death and MMR at our institute and analysis of delays that contribute to maternal death. Methodology: This observational cross sectional study was conducted from January 2010 to December 2015 in Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMIMER). All the maternal deaths of the institute during the study period were included in the study. A pre-structured coded Performa provided by National Rural Health Mission was used for present study. The factors associated with maternal deaths were classified by using the ‘three delays’ framework. Results: The overall MMR of the study was 244 per 100,000 live births. Direct obstetric causes were responsible in 68.04% cases of maternal death. Obstetric haemorrhage like antepartum haemorrhage (APH) and postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) were responsible in 24.74% of cases. Other important direct causes were septicaemia and eclampsia (10.30% and 9.27% cases respectively). Indirect causes were responsible in 31.95% cases of maternal death. Only 20.61% women had taken three or more ANC visits. 35.05% women had not taken any ANC care. 1st delay was found in 57.73% cases and 2nd delay in 34.02% cases. Conclusion: Maternal death review systems help to evaluate the trends of maternal deaths and help to develop subsequent policies and protocols to tackle life threatening obstetric emergencies.

The collapse of infrastructure for childbirth: causes and consequences

Despite low childbirth rate in Korea, the number of women with high-risk pregnancies is steadily increasing, mostly due to increased maternal age, multiple pregnancies, and obesity. In fact, one out of five Korean women is above 35 years old at childbirth. It is well known that high risk pregnancy is closely related with increased maternal mortality, either by direct or indirect causes. Despite such problems, however, Korea's health care infrastructure for childbirth has deteriorated, leaving approximately 20% of the geographic area of the country medically underserved with regard to optimal maternity care. Such a collapse has been caused by the decrease in the number of maternity hospitals and their financial difficulties due to medical fee reimbursement for childbirth being too low. The problem is aggravated by a lack of obstetricians who can provide skilled attendance at childbirth. In addition, extensive legal pressure has dissuaded talented medical students from pursuing obstetrics and gynecology, thereby resulting in aging and severe gender imbalance in such professions. The direct consequence of the collapse in infrastructure for childbirth is an increased maternal mortality ratio, especially in underserved areas. Moreover, increased maternal death caused by postpartum bleeding reflects an obvious sign of danger in the maternal health care system. Furthermore, the number of tertiary hospitals that can provide optimal care to high risk pregnant women has decreased to two-thirds of what it once was, and the training of competent obstetricians for the mothers of the future continues to be a difficulty.

Analysis of the Causes and Trends of Maternal Mortality in Korea: 2009-2014 / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to analyze recent trends and causes of maternal mortality in Korea between 2009 and 2014. METHODS: We investigated trends and causes of maternal death using the data from Complementary Investigations on the Infant, Maternal, and Perinatal Mortality carried out by Statistics Korea between 2009 and 2014. Maternal age, administrative district, causes of death and gestational age at the time of death were collected from data. Statistics including maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and maternal mortality rate were calculated. We also analyzed MMR according to the age, and administrative districts. The causes of maternal death were sorted and classified using International Classification of Diseases and World Health Organization recommendations. RESULTS: The average MMR during 6 years was 13.16 and maternal mortality rate was 0.45. MMR was highest in 2011 (17.2) and lowest in 2012 (9.9). The average MMR of the administrative districts varied greatly from 7.51 (Gwangju) to 26.84 (Jeju). The average MMR during the study period was lowest in maternal age of 20-24 (6.9), and highest in 45-49 (143.7). On average, direct and indirect maternal deaths accounted for 66.2% and 29.9% of total maternal death, respectively. The three most common causes of maternal deaths were obstetrical embolism (24.4%), postpartum hemorrhage (18.3%), and hypertensive disease of pregnancy (5.5%) in decreasing order of frequency. CONCLUSION: Although MMR is decreasing during the study period, it fluctuates widely according to maternal age, districts, and constant effort for improvements is necessary. To reduce maternal deaths, solution to control preventable causes of maternal deaths, careful management of pregnancies with advanced maternal age, and policy to solve the discrepancy in the medical services among diverse regions in the country are needed.

Inequality in maternal health-care services and safe delivery in eastern India.

Background: The target for Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG-5) is to reduce the maternal mortality ratio by three quarters between 1990 and 2015. The United Nations 2014 report on MDG-5 concluded that little progress had been made in the South Asian countries, including India, which accounts for 17% of all maternal deaths globally. In resource-poor economies with widespread disparities even within the same country, it is very important to explore inequalities in safe delivery during childbirth by key socioeconomic factors in order to provide insights for future programming and policy actions. Methods: Data from the Indian District Level Household and Facility Survey 3 were analysed to examine inequalities in safe delivery in eastern India. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used. Results: There were substantial inequalities in safe delivery by asset quintile, education of the woman and her husband, area of residence (rural or urban), religion and age at marriage (<18 years or ≥18 years); however, not all inequalities were the same. After adjusting for education levels of both parents, area of residence, religion and mother’s age at marriage, the odds of having a safe delivery were almost eightfold higher for those in the highest asset quintiles compared with those in the lowest quintiles. The odds for a safe pregnancy were three times higher for educated women compared with a base case of no education. The chances of having a safe delivery were twofold higher for women living in urban areas compared with those in rural areas (odds ratio 2.04, 95% confidence interval 1.91–2.17). Conclusion: Addressing inequalities in maternal health should be viewed as a central policy goal together with the achievement of MDG-5 targets. In addition to following the indirect route of improving maternal health via poverty alleviation, direct interventions are needed urgently. Women’s education has a strong potential to improve access for poor pregnant women to safe delivery services and to reduce disparities in maternal health outcomes in resource-poor economies.

Review of Maternal Deaths at Douala General Hospital, Cameroon: The Referral System and Other Contributing Factors.

One of the objectives of the fifth Millennium Development Goal [MGD] is to decrease annually by 5.5% the maternal mortality so as to attain a three- quarter’s reduction of the world’s burden by the year 2015. The health care referral system has been shown to play an important role if this objective is to be attained. The aim of this study was to evaluate the referral system and other contributing factors to maternal deaths. This was a retrospective, descriptive study carried out in the Douala General Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital in Douala, Cameroon. The records of cases of maternal deaths that occurred between 1st January, 2002 and 31st December, 2011 were reviewed. Patients who died on arrival at the hospital were excluded from the study. Data was collected using pre-structured questionnaire and analyzed with EPI-Info version 3.5.1. There were 25 maternal deaths during this period with a maternal mortality ratio of 275 per 100.000 live births. Sixteen (64%) maternal deaths were referred cases from; government health institutions 4 (25%) and private 12 (75%) hospitals in Douala. Most of the patients were between 30-40 years 12 (48%), married 17 (68%), primigravida 12 (48%). The triad of hemorrhage 12 (48%), hypertensive disease in pregnancy 10 (40%) and infection 3 (12%) was responsible for the maternal deaths. Using two indicators to evaluate the referral system, it was observed that only 3 (18, 8%) exploited the referral information system and barely 4(25 %) were transported to the hospital by an ambulance. Maternal mortality remains high in our setting. Most of the causes of maternal death are due to direct obstetric causes which are preventable. The role of referral system in providing health care is poor. Therefore, this aspect of providing health care has to be properly implemented if it is to make an impact in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.

Public health approach to address maternal mortality.

Reducing maternal mortality is one of the major challenges to health systems worldwide, more so in developing countries that account for nearly 99% of these maternal deaths. Lack of a standard method for reporting of maternal death poses a major hurdle in making global comparisons. Currently much of the focus is on documenting the "number" of maternal deaths and delineating the "medical causes" behind these deaths. There is a need to acknowledge the social correlates of maternal deaths as well. Investigating and in-depth understanding of each maternal death can provide indications on practical ways of addressing the problem. Death of a mother has serious implications for the child as well as other family members and to prevent the same, a comprehensive approach is required. This could include providing essential maternal care, early management of complications and good quality intrapartum care through the involvement of skilled birth attendants. Ensuring the availability, affordability, and accessibility of quality maternal health services, including emergency obstetric care (EmOC) would prove pivotal in reducing the maternal deaths. To increase perceived seriousness of the community regarding maternal health, a well-structured awareness campaign is needed with importance be given to avoid adolescent pregnancy as well. Initiatives like Janani Surakhsha Yojna (JSY) that have the potential to improve maternal health needs to be strengthened. Quality assessments should form an essential part of all services that are directed toward improving maternal health. Further, emphasis needs to be given on research by involving multiple allied partners, with the aim to develop a prioritized, coordinated, and innovative research agenda for women's health.

India’s progress towards the Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 on infant and maternal mortality.

Background: India is in a race against time to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5, to reduce Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) to ‘28’ and Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to ‘109’, by 2015. This study estimates the percent net contribution of the states and the periods in shaping India’s IMR/MMR, and predicts future levels. Methods: A standardized decomposition technique was used to estimate each state’s and period’s percent share in shaping India’s decline in IMR/MMR between two time points. Linear and exponential regression curves were fitted for IMR/MMR values of the past two decades to predict IMR/MMR levels for 2015 for India and for the 15 most populous states. Results: Due to favourable maternal mortality reduction efforts in Bihar/Jharkhand (19%) and Madhya Pradesh/Chhattisgarh (11%), Uttar Pradesh (33%) - India is predicted to attain the MDG-5 target by 2016, assuming the pace of decline observed in MMR during 1997-2009 continues to follow a linear-trend, while the wait may continue until 2023-2024 if the decline follows an exponentialtrend. Attaining MDG-4 may take until 2023-2024, due to low acceleration in IMR drop in Bihar/ Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh/Uttarakhand and Rajasthan. The maximum decline in MMR during 2004- 2009 coincided with the launch and uptake of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). Conclusions: Even though India as a nation is not predicted to attain all the MDG 4 and 5 targets, at least four of its 15 most populous states are predicted to do so. In the past two decades, MMR reduction efforts were more effective than IMR reduction efforts.

Unmet Obstetric Need Indicator for Estimating Maternal Mortality by Severe Obstetric Complications in Tambacounda Region, Senegal / 国際保健医療

<b>Introduction</b><br> Maternal mortality ratio is widely used to provide a general sense of size of the problem of maternal deaths. However, it cannot be used to measure progress of maternal health programme on an annual basis and to compare geographic areas, because of its wide range of errors. This research estimates maternal mortality in six districts by using “unmet obstetric need” indicator in Tambacounda region, Senegal and describes possible application of the indicator to monitor, evaluate and facilitate maternal mortality reduction.<br><b>Methods</b><br> We used data on caesarean sections performed in seven health facilities in Tambacounda and Kaolack regions in 2005, and calculated rates of the intervention for the residents of Tambacounda. We estimated maternal mortality ratios for selected severe obstetric complications in six districts by calculating the number of deficits for the caesarean sections for absolute maternal indications, which were the number of women who developed life-threatening events but could not receive the appropriate interventions for the diseases.<br><b>Results</b><br> The rates of caesarean sections for all indications and for absolute maternal indications in the six districts ranged from 0.3 to 2.0% and from 0.1 to 0.9%, respectively. The estimated maternal mortality ratio for the absolute maternal indications in Tambacounda region was 651 (95%CI 554-761). Statistically significant differences in the ratios were observed between Koumpentoum district (maternal mortality ratio 966, 95%CI 741-1239) and Goudiry (877, 588-1260), and Kédougou (249, 119-457) and Bakel (296, 128-584).<br><b>Conclusions</b><br> This study method enabled us to distinguish the difference in maternal mortality ratios for the selected severe obstetric complications between the small districts. It implies that the “unmet obstetric need” indicator can be used to compare geographic areas, to monitor trends, and to evaluate programme impact as well as baseline data to establish necessary measures to decrease maternal deaths.

Changes of maternal mortality ratio and the causes of death in Korea during 1995-2000 / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To examine the changes of maternal mortality ratio and the causes of death in Korea during 1995-2000. METHODS: Maternal mortality data were collected through two stages: collection of registration data and maternal mortality survey at medical institutions. The cause of death was judged by agreement of three obstetrician. RESULTS: Maternal mortality ratio decreased from 20 (per 100,000 live births) in 1995 to 18 in 1999 and 15 in 2000. The mortality ratio was higher for women 35 years and older. Postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and obstetric embolism are three main causes of maternal death which comprised about half of all maternal death. CONCLUSION: Maternal mortality ratio decreased during 1995-2000. All causes of maternal death decreased since 1995. However obstetric embolism appeared to be relatively more important cause of death in 1999-2000.