title: Maternal deaths in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2000-2003.
abstract: The study describes the characteristics of maternal deaths in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during 2000-2003. After investigation by public-health services, 217 maternal deaths were identified among predominantly non-white (48.9%), single (57.1%) women aged 29.6 +/- 7.3 years on average. Direct obstetric causes corresponded to 77.4% of the maternal deaths, mainly due to hypertensive disorders. HIV-related diseases accounted for 4% of the maternal deaths. Almost three-fourths of the mothers who died were aged 20-39 years, although the highest risk of maternal death corresponded to the age-group of 40-49 years (248.9 per 100,000 livebirths). The socioeconomic and demographic profiles of maternal deaths in the city of Rio de Janeiro reflected a vulnerable social situation. Appropriate interventions aimed at reducing maternal mortality need to encompass all women of childbearing age, irrespective of the magnitude of the risk of maternal death.
authors.affiliation: Medical School and Institute of Public Health Studies, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IESC/UFRJ), Praça Jorge Machado Moreira, 100 Cidade Universitária Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil-CEP 21944-970. pkale@iesc.ufrj.br
authors.forename: Pauline Lorena
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Kale
authors.forename: Antonio Jose Leal
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Costa
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000401:mortality; D015994:Incidence; D017533:Marital Status; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000401:mortality*; D011247:Pregnancy; D044469:Racial Groups; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult