A Seven Year Analysis of Maternal Mortality at Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta

Abstract

Objectives: To find out the maternal mortality rate and analyze various causes of maternal mortality at Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta.

Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted, analyzing the medical records of maternal deaths for a seven year period from January 2014 to December, 2020 in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit II of Bolan Medical Complex Hospital Quetta. Results were calculated in terms of percentage and frequency by using simple descriptive statistics and analyzed by using Microsoft Excel 13.

Results: Out of 58,374 live births, there were a total of 122 maternal deaths, resulting in a maternal mortality ratio of 209 per 100,000 live births. 48.4% women were between age of 26 to 30 years while 42% were above 35 years. Grand multipara and multipara were 50.8% and 37.7% respectively. 42% women were vaginally delivered while cesarean section or laparotomy performed in 38.5%. Undelivered cases were 17.2%. Hospital stay was less than 12 hours of 53.3 % women and 13 % were dead on arrival. Obstetrical haemorrhage, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and sepsis were the most frequent direct causes of maternal death, accounting for 46%, 13%, and 8.1% of all cases, respectively. With regard to indirect causes pulmonary embolism, anesthesia complications, medical disorders contributed 7.4% each.

Conclusion: Hemorrhage, eclampsia and sepsis are the major causes of maternal deaths in our setup. It can be preventable by good antenatal care, improving the basic health facilities, family planning services, and proper referral system. The high percentage of indirect causes of maternal deaths are also an alarming situation should be considered seriously.