DOI: 10.36347/sasjm.2022.v08i03.013

Pages: 177-182

Introduction: Maternal health is important for the development of any country in terms of increasing equity and reducing poverty and is important in their own right and is central to solving economic, social and developmental challenges. Hence, maternal mortality is the key indicator of health and socio economic status and development of a community and the whole national system. Aim: To study the factors responsible for maternal mortality and to analyse the causes and trends in maternal mortality. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study on maternal deaths that occurred in the maternity ward of Government General Hospital, Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada during the period of five years from January 2017 to December 2021. Covid related deaths excluded. Results: Total 137 maternal deaths occurred during the study period. 121 maternal deaths (88.32%) were unbooked cases, 16 (11.67%) were booked cases. 58 women (42.33%) were primiparous, 76 (55.47%) were multiparous and 3 (2.18%) were grand multiparous. 76 women (55.47%) were of 20-24 years age, 38 women (27.73%)were of 25-29 years age. Maternal deaths due to direct causes were 89 (65.92%) and due to indirect causes were 47 (34.07%). Hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy was the leading cause of death followed by hemorrhage in pregnancy. 105 (76.64%) maternal deaths occurred after delivery, 14 deaths (10.21%) during 3rd trimester of gestation. Type 1 delay (20.74%), type 2 delay (57.7%) type 3 (21.48%) delays contributed to the maternal deaths. Conclusion: Health education regarding adolescent health, pregnancy, abortion and contraception. Regular antenatal checkup, early identification of risk factors, awareness, timely intervention and referral to higher institute, proper intra natal and post natal care, multispecial team management in high risk cases are needed to reduce the maternal mortality.