Incidence and characteristics of maternal mortality: a retrospective study in Dhaka medical college

Abstract

Background: Maternal mortality remains a significant public health challenge globally, particularly in low-resource settings like Bangladesh. This study aims to analyze the incidence and characteristics of maternal mortality at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, a major tertiary care center in Bangladesh. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted, reviewing 10,592 birth records from July 2009 to June 2010. The study focused on maternal deaths during this period, identifying 189 cases. Data on age, socioeconomic status, parity, antenatal care practices, and causes of mortality were analyzed Results: The maternal mortality rate was found to be 1.78%. The majority of deaths occurred in younger women, with 25.40% in the 16-20 age group and 36.51% in the 21-25 age group. A significant majority (80.95%) of the deaths occurred among women from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Regarding parity, the highest mortality was observed in women with 1-2 children (39.68%). Antenatal care was notably deficient, with 75.66% of participants not receiving any. The leading causes of maternal mortality were eclampsia (31.75%) and obstetric haemorrhage (30.16%). Conclusions: The study highlights a high incidence of maternal mortality among younger women and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, with eclampsia and obstetric haemorrhage being the predominant causes. The lack of antenatal care is a critical concern. These findings underscore the need for improved antenatal care services, emergency obstetric care, and targeted interventions to address socioeconomic disparities in maternal health.