title: The road to maternal death in rural southwest ethiopia.
abstract: The study explored cultural beliefs and practices contributing to maternal deaths together with maternal deaths reviews as testimonial. Six maternal deaths were retrospectively observed in rural southwest Ethiopia. Four of the 6 deaths occurred due to direct obstetric causes. Substandard primary and referral care, not understanding the severity of the problem, and lack of transport were the major themes identified as contributing factors. The result highlighted the need to improving primary health care, to strengthen referral system and community education.
authors.affiliation: FIDO Ethiopia, P.O. Box 1876/1250, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,  e-mail: kebededeka@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Kebede
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Deribe
authors.forename: Sibhatu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biadgilign
authors.forename: Alemayehu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amberbir
authors.forename: Tefera
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Belachew
authors.forename: Kifle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Woldemichael