The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #73097

Bahar Guciz Dogan, Department of Public Health, Hacettepe University, 06100, Samanpazari, 06100, Turkey, +90.312.305 1590, bdogan@hacettepe.edu.tr and Ayþe Akýn, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Hacettepe University, Samanpazarý, Ankara, Turkey.

Objectives: Prediction of MMR and its causes in Turkey.Methodology: This descriptive longitudinal survey was done in 53 provinces in Turkey includes 80% of the Turkish population. All female deaths aged 12-55 occurred in 615 hospitals were studied for one year.Results: Of the 6371 female deaths, 323 were maternal deaths with a proportional mortality rate of 5.1% and maternal mortality rate of 49.2 per 100 thousands live births. 59.1% of maternal deaths was in postpartum period; 5.6% of them was under the age of 20 while 28.4% was over 35 . More than one-third of women were from rural area. Four out of five women had received antenatal care but the quality of 82.1% was insufficient. 59.7% of the cases had a systemic disease and 80.7% had a pregnancy related complication. In the final causes of deaths, 94.4% were obstetrical. Toxemia and haemorrhage were the most frequent causes. It was found that four out of five maternal deaths were due to preventable causes.Conclusion: The ANC services were insufficient. The high prevalance of systemic diseases of the population means that there are problems regarding women’s health. So, women’s health should be improved by life cycle approach. The need of taking preventive measures and focusing on the appropriate interventions are essential.The level of preventability of these deaths shows the necessity to improve the health care system which requires a strong political will power and commitment. Although, the results of this study do not reflect the maternal mortalities in the entire country, it shows that women’s and mothers’ health issues should still have priority and need more attention in Turkey.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. To define maternal mortality rate and ratio based on descriptive longitudinal survey in Turkey.
• 2. List the type of obstetrical complications that leads to maternal deaths.
• 3. Discuss the possible interventions to prevent maternal mortalities in developing countries.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.