Causes of maternal deaths in Faisalabad, Pakistan

Objective: To analyze the risk factors which cause maternal deaths and to examine the socio­demographic and reproductive history of diseased women. Methodology: This retrospective study was carried out on 72 women who died over a period of 2014-15 in district Faisalabad, Pakistan. The case summaries were reviewed and analyzed that were collected by the maternal new born child health (MNCH) program, district Faisalabad. Data, regarding age, residential area, parity, antenatal visits, place of deaths and cause of maternal deaths were assessed and analyzed by SPSS version 17. Results: Mean age of maternal death was 29.12±4.06 year and 81.9% deaths took place in the rural area. The highest maternal mortality was found 40.3% in parity 5 and above. Out of 72 maternal deaths, 19.4% were primigravida. Only 44.5% of diseased women got the 3 and above prenatal visits. It was found that 65.6% maternal deaths happened in less than 24 hours after delivery. The major and foremost reasons of maternal deaths were hemorrhage (31.9%), hypertensive disorders/eclampsia (26.4%) and sepsis (13.9%). Conclusion: The major causes of maternal deaths were hemorrhage, followed by hypertensive disorder/eclampsia. The highest maternal mortality was found in parity four and above, which indicates that maternal deaths were associated with number of pregnancies.