Abstract

MATERNAL MORTALITY IN WASSIT GOVERNORATE, 2012-2017

Wejdan Saeed Asi*, MBChB DFE

ABSTRACT

Background: The death of a woman in childbirth is a tragedy, an unnecessary and wasteful event that carries with it a huge burden of grief and pain. Pregnancy is not a disease and pregnancy related morbidity and mortality are preventable. Iraq is one of the developing countries which aim to reduce maternal mortality. Wassit governorate like other Iraqi governorates acts hardly to reduce maternal deaths by exploring the causes of maternal mortality and enhance maternal health services. Objective: determine the main causes of maternal deaths in Wassit governorate and describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the deceased women. Method: This was a desk review of all maternal deaths registered at the Maternal and Child Health unit in Public Health Department at Wassit Health Directorate, for the period of 2012-2017. The sample included 92 women aged 15-47 years. Standard maternal death definition was used; certain risk factors were studied (age, parity, type of delivery, place of delivery, obstetrical history and stage of death). Result: MMR were 32, 32, 25 per 100,000 for 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively. The study showed that the majority of deaths among age group 20-40 and among multipara (67%), halve of deaths (50%) at postnatal stage, (70%) of dead women had antenatal care, (71%) of deceased women delivered in hospitals. Hemorrhage and DIC form 29% of maternal deaths 7% due to hypertension disorder, the same percentage due to septicemia. The causes of death were unknown for 25% of maternal deaths that was related to the judicial office or delay in data transportation from Forensic medicine unit to Health Directorate. Conclusion: This study provides information about socio demographic, clinical and health system factors, which may be possible factors to reduce maternal deaths in Wassit governorate, vital changes required including improving the quality & quantity of service provided to pregnant women during pregnancy and childbirth especially for those with complications, increase community awareness about the importance of contraception and danger signs during pregnancy, delivery and pureperium, develop and manage human resources of maternal care providers.

Keywords: .