title: Facility-based audit of maternal mortality in Lebanon: a feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility of establishing a maternal mortality audit in Lebanon.
  
  
  METHODS
  A facility-based reproductive age mortality study (RAMOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Records of reproductive-age female deaths over an eight-year period in three hospitals in Beirut, Lebanon, were reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quality of data sources, comprehensiveness of medical charts and accessibility of information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Review of records was feasible. Cross-checking three data sources identified missed cases and coding and data entry errors. The quality and accessibility of data varied between hospitals. The maternal mortality rate was 39/100,000 live births and there were 55 pregnancy-related deaths/100,000 live births. Lack of antenatal care, delay in seeking care and over-intervention on the part of the medical team were among problems identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A facility-based approach is a potential tool for conducting a national maternal mortality audit in a developing country like Lebanon. Computerized medical records and mandatory participation of hospitals are prerequisites for success. This would require the government to develop a cohesive national policy on reducing maternal mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behaviour and Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Hibah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Osman
authors.forename: Oona M R
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Dima
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sinno
authors.forename: Rana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zarwi
authors.forename: Anwar H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Nassar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011996:Records; D012494:Sampling Studies; D055815:Young Adult