MATERNAL MORTALITY, AN ISSUE TO ADDRESS-FREQUENCY AND CAUSES IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

BACKGROUND: Maternal is an important pillar of the healthcare system. Maternal mortality gives us an idea about the health services of a country. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and causes of maternal mortality in a tertiary care hospital. By understanding the factors contributing to maternal mortality, appropriate interventions can be implemented to improve maternal health outcomes . METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis of maternal mortality cases, was conducted using medical records from the department of obstetrics and gynecology Hayatabad Medical Complex, a tertiary care hospital of Peshawar, over a rom 1st January 2018 till 31st December 2022. Demographic data, clinical information, and causes of death were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 61 maternal mortality cases were identified during the study period. The maternal mortality ratio was calculated using the standard formula as number of deaths /total live births× 100,000. The majority of maternal deaths occurred in women between 31 to 40 years. 70.5% of the deaths were from hemorrhage, eclampsia and sepsis accounting for 62.4% of all the cases. Indirect causes contributed to 29.5% of maternal deaths, of these blood and hepatic disorders were significant. CONCLUSIONS: The leading causes of maternal mortality identified in this study highlights the need to address preventable factors. Improving antenatal care, access to emergency obstetric services, and comprehensive management of obstetric complications are crucial in reducing maternal mortality rates. Focusing on improving health system infrastructure, healthcare education, and community awareness to ensure appropriate care for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. KEY WORDS: Mortality ,Maternal ,Hemorrhage,Eclampsia.