English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Maternal mortality is measure of adequacy of health care system and socioeconomic status of the country. Globally every day thousands of women die of pregnancy related causes, majority in developing countries. It has adverse effect on family, society and country. METHODS In this retrospective study maternal deaths occurring in the Government General Hospital, Anantapur, from Jan 2018 to Oct 2021 were analysed using medical case records. RESULTS In present study, a total of 48 maternal deaths, with MMR of 142.35 per one lakh live births were analysed. Maximum number of deaths occurred in age group between 20 to 25 years. 68.75% were uneducated and 31.25 % had literacy just above 10th class. A majority, 95.8% belonged to low socioeconomic group. Most cases were unbooked, 91.69%. There were 81.25% of referred cases and 18.75% in house cases. G2 G3, primi formed the majority of study population. Major cause of MMR was due to direct cause, 77%. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy accounted for 35%, obstetric haemorrhage in 25% followed by pulmonary embolism/AF embolism, 10.4%. Indirect causes accounted for 23%. Anaemia accounted for majority of indirect cause, 72.9%. CONCLUSIONS Majority of maternal deaths occurred in patients from rural areas, unbooked uneducated patients and from poor socioeconomic status. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and obstetric haemorrhage are major direct causes of maternal deaths, anaemia being the commonest indirect cause. Access to antenatal care and skilled care during child birth play a vital role in reducing maternal mortality. KEY WORDS Maternal Mortality, Obstetric Haemorrhage, Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy, Anaemia.