Obstetric deaths in Bangladesh, 1996-1997.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to measure and to describe obstetric deaths in Bangladesh.


METHODS
We reviewed hospital records and interviewed health workers in clinic sites and field workers who cared for pregnant women.


RESULTS
We obtained case reports of 28998 deaths of women aged 10-50, of which 8562 (29.5%) were maternal deaths. Most (7086, 82.8%) of these deaths were due to obstetric causes. The most common causes of direct obstetric death were eclampsia (34.3%), hemorrhage (27.9%), and obstructed and/or prolonged labor (11.3%). National direct obstetric death rate was estimated to be 16.9 per 100,000 women.


CONCLUSIONS
Efforts to reduce fertility in Bangladesh have led to an estimated 49% reduction in the maternal mortality rate per 1000 women during the past 18 years. Variations in maternal mortality suggest the need to develop local strategies to improve obstetric care.
Rahman
M H
MH
Bangladesh Institute of Research for Promotion of Essential and Reproductive Health and Technologies (BIRPERHT), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Akhter
H H
HH
Khan Chowdhury
M-E-E
ME
Yusuf
H R
HR
Rochat
R W
RW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies