Maternal Deaths in Kayseri: Causes and Risk Factors

Abstract

Background: About a quarter of a million women die from pregnancy-related conditions every year. This study aimed to contribute to the literature by assessing causes and demographic data of maternal deaths in our region. Methods: Our study is retrospective and descriptive. The study sample comprised 36 mothers who died in Kayseri between 2015 and 2019. The assessment was performed on the Provincial Directorate of Health data-“Maternal Death Record Forms”. Patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics and the factors associated with mortality were analyzed. Results: A total of 33 maternal deaths that occurred between 2015 and 2019 were assessed in our study. The mean age of mothers included in the study was 33.3 ± 6.3. Median gestational week was 24.5 (min: 3–max: 39) weeks of pregnancy. The majority of preventable deaths were from indirect causes. Cesarean history was higher in previous pregnancies in preventable maternal deaths (p = 0.006). First-phase and third-phase delay models were higher in preventable maternal deaths (p = 0.008, p = 0.007). Conclusions: The rates of preventable maternal mortality are considerably high. The first-phase delay model has an important place in preventable maternal deaths.