Abstract :
Introduction: Maternal mortality is a key indicator of health services provided to population and reflects the health status of community.
Aim: To study the factors responsible for maternal mortality.
Materials and Methods: Maternal deaths that occurred in one year in Government Maternity Hospital, Tirupati were studied. Present study was conducted from January 2017 to December 2017 in Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Government Maternity Hospital, S.V. Medical College, Tirupati.
Results: 21 maternal deaths had occurred during the study period. 57.1% were unbooked cases, 61.9% were primiparous women and 61.9% were belonging to the age group of 21-25 years. Leading cause of death was hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (47.6%) followed by postpartum haemorrhage (28.4%). Maternal deaths due to direct causes were 85.7% and indirect causes were 14.3%. type 2 and 3 delays contributed to 57.1% and 38.1% maternal deaths respectively. Most of the cases were referred to the institute in late stages.
Conclusion: Health education, regular antenatal check ups, early identification of high risk pregnancies and timely intervention are needed to reduce maternal mortality.
Keyword :
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, Maternal mortality, Postpartum haemorrhage.