title: Exploring maternal mortality in relation to socioeconomic factors in Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Maternal mortality is a tragic death, and is perceived as a sensitive indicator of the socioeconomic status and healthcare services in a given country. In this study, the relationship between maternal deaths and factors such as socioeconomic development and the proportion of medical professionals in Iran was examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an ecological study, where three main groups of data based on different provinces were applied. Data included maternal mortality ratio, the proportion of medical professionals and socioeconomic variables, such as urban residency, unemployment and literacy. Data were obtained from various sources, including census returns, the Family Unit at the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran and the Iran Medical Council. Data were analysed using univariate and multivariate methodologies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multivariate analysis showed a significant inverse relationship between maternal deaths and variables of male literacy (p < 0.001) and unemployment (p = 0.04). A marginally significant association was also found between maternal deaths and the proportion of midwives (p = 0.09).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings underscore the role of literacy, particularly male literacy, in the prevention of maternal deaths. Iran, as a male-dominated society, could benefit from targeting men for training programmes to enhance the health of their families, and ultimately, that of the society. As economic status does play a role in maternal deaths, there is a need to strengthen the financial situation of families. The number of skilled medical personnel available in a population also plays a key role in reducing maternal deaths.
authors.affiliation: Regional Knowledge Hub For HIV/AIDS Surveillance, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Farzaneh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zolala
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Heidari
authors.forename: Nehzat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Afshar
authors.forename: Ali Akbar
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Haghdoost
mesh_terms: D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008880:Midwifery; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000078329:Workforce