title: The Lao People's Democratic Republic: maternal mortality and female mortality: determining causes of deaths.
abstract: A sample of 380 female deaths in the age group 15-49 years from 16 provinces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic were analyzed to determine the most likely cause of death. 127 deaths were classified as maternal, 28% occurred during pregnancy and the remaining 72% within six weeks of the termination of pregnancy. Almost three quarters of all maternal deaths were directly related to obstetrical complications during pregnancy or childbirth. Many of these deaths could probably have been avoided, if appropriate obstetric care had been available. The level of attention to problems related to maternity and childbirth needs to be raised at all responsible levels of the health service system. This must start at the health facility where attending nurses and midwives should be oriented towards pregnancy-related problems and early detection of high-risk women, with appropriate supervisory support. District and national administrations should also focus more on maternity services within their Primary Health Care programme.
authors.affiliation: Mother and Child Health Institute, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic.
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Fauveau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D003625:Data Collection; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007812:Laos / Q000453:epidemiology; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000401:mortality; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors