Non-Communicable Diseases: As a Cause of Maternal Mortality

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of non-communicable diseases as a contributing factor to maternal mortality.

Methodology: This descriptive study was conducted in the Gynae 'A' unit of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, spanning from 2018 to 2022. Data were extracted from hospital records following approval from the ethical committee. The study included women who succumbed to non-communicable diseases as the cause of maternal mortality. Exclusions comprised cases of communicable diseases, direct maternal deaths, deaths due to accidental or incidental causes, or instances where complete data were unavailable. Informed consent for reviewing patient case sheets was waived due to the retrospective and non-interventional nature of the study. Relevant details such as age, parity, gestational period, booking status, mode of delivery, and type of non-communicable disease were documented using a pre-designed proforma. Descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation presented in tabular form.

Results: The study encompassed a total of 72 cases of maternal deaths. Among these, 43 (59.72%) were classified as direct maternal deaths, while 29 (40.27%) were deemed indirect. Non-communicable diseases were identified as the cause of 21 (29.16%) maternal deaths. The majority of patients were multigravida (61.90%) within the age range of 20-30 years. Cardiac diseases (34.78%) emerged as the most prevalent non-communicable cause of maternal mortality.

Conclusion: Non-communicable diseases represent significant contributors to maternal mortality, accounting for approximately one-third of maternal deaths. Among non-communicable diseases, cardiac ailments were the most frequently observed.