RESUMEN
A study of maternal deaths during the 5-year period between1975 and 1979 is presented During the 5.year period studied there was a total of 242 maternal deaths.185 cases were due to obstetric causes and 57 cases were due to nonobstetric causes. Heart disease particularly rhuematic heart lesion and viral hepatitis were responsible for most of the deaths in non-obstetric causes. Out of 185 obstetric deaths 115 cases or 62.16 per cent were due to abortion. Sepsis is the main cause of maternal death. It accounts for 65.4 per cent of obstetric deaths. Septic abortion is a major contributory factor in the cause of maternal deaths due to infection. The overall trend in maternal deaths have reduced from 1965 to 1979. The pattern of change as regards the cause of deaths have also altered; infection alone being on the rise whereas other causes such as haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia, pulmonary embolism etc are on the decline.