title: Maternal deaths associated with hypertension in South Africa: lessons to learn from the Saving Mothers report, 2005-2007.
abstract: From 2005-2007, there were 622 deaths associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Eclampsia was the major cause of death (n = 344; 55.3%). There were 173 (28.3%) deaths due to pre-eclampsia, and 38 (6.1%) associated with chronic hypertension. Cerebral complications were the final cause of death in 283 (45.5%), while cardiac failure and respiratory failure were the final causes in 142 (22.8%) and 158 (25.4%), respectively. Major problems were identified in all areas of assessment. Non-attendance for antenatal care (n = 106; 19.4%) and delay in seeking help (n = 106; 19.4%) were major patient-related factors. Communication problems (n = 63; 10.8%) and lack of facilities (n = 50; 8.5%) were health administration issues. Health worker-avoidable factors included problem recognition, delay in referral and management at an inappropriate level of healthcare. Compared to the previous report of 2002-2004, there was a reduction in deaths due to hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Women's Health and HIV Research Group, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. jmog@ukzn.ac.za
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moodley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002423:Cause of Death; D003144:Communication Barriers; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000401:mortality*; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000401:mortality*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013019:South Africa; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult