Analysis of maternal mortality in a tertiary care hospital

Objectives: to identify causes of maternal mortality and to make recommendation for prevention of factors responsible for maternal mortality. method: this study was conducted in the department of gynaecology sheikh zayed teaching hospital rahim yar khan,from january 2009 to december 2009. all the women were admitted through emergency. pre designed performa was filled including age,parity,socio economic status,distance from hospital and causative factors leading to maternal deaths. results: there were twenty eight maternal deaths recorded during study period maternal mortality ratio was 340/100,000 live birth the age range was between 15-25 years i.e.,57.14 and 5% of female had parity 2-5 the most common cause for maternal mortality was hemorrhage 17 (60.71%) hypertensive disorder 3 (10.7%) hapatic failure 02(7.14%),pulmonary embolism 2(7.14%),septicemia 02(7.14%) pulmonary edema 1 (3.5%) and anesthesia complication 1(3.5%). the distance from hospital was between 10-100 km. conclusion: hemorrhage is still the leading cause of maternal death. these factors can be prevented by providing antenatal care,to all pregnant women even in rural areas and emergency health care should be available to all women. there is need to improve literacy rate and awareness regarding the importance of contraceptive methods.