Influences on Maternal Mortality in Pakistan: Insights from the 2019 Pakistan Maternal Mortality Survey

Abstract

This article analyzes data from the 2019 Pakistan Maternal Mortality Survey to identify factors influencing maternal mortality in Pakistan. Factors like living in rural areas, in lower wealth quintiles, with limited access to media, of younger maternal age, of lower education level, lacking antenatal care, and having limited access to cesarean sections, are all associated with higher maternal mortality rates in the survey data. Increased paternal age, inadequate family planning utilization, and delays in accessing care, show a positive relationship with maternal deaths. The study highlights the complex interactions between demographic, socio-economic, cultural, and healthcare system-related factors and the influence of three health care access delays on maternal mortality. Policymakers should consider improving access to quality healthcare services, promoting the education and empowerment of women, enhancing antenatal care coverage, and reducing delays when people seek and receive care. These are crucial steps to reducing maternal mortality in Pakistan. Targeted policies must be developed to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce maternal deaths. Keywords: Maternal mortality rate, Contributory factors, Maternal health care, Bivariate and multivariable analyses, Logistic method, Pakistan.