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[ Recorded presentation ] Recorded presentation

Continuum of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality: Factors Associated with Severity

Suzanne M. Cox, MPH1, Stacie Geller, PhD2, Deborah Rosenberg, PhD3, and Laura E. Studee, BA2. (1) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (MC 808), University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, 820 S. Wood St., Chicago, IL 60612, 312-413-8379, scox3@uic.edu, (2) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (MC 808), University of Illinois, College of Medicine, 820 S. Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, (3) Epidemiology & Biostatistics, SPH, University of Illinois, 1603 W. Taylor, Chgo, IL 60612

Introduction: The goal of this study is to examine whether socio-demographic, clinical, and other service related factors as well as preventability issues affect a woman’s progression along the continuum of morbidity and mortality.

Study Design: This is a case-control study of pregnancy-related deaths (n=37), women with near miss morbidity (n=33), and those with other severe, but not life threatening morbidity (n=101). Factors associated with maternal outcome (death, near miss, or severe morbidity) were examined.

Results: Provider factors (related to preventability) and clinical diagnosis were significantly associated with progression along the continuum after controlling for socio-demographic characteristics (p < 0.01 for both associations).

Conclusions: In order to improve mortality rates, we must understand maternal morbidity and how a morbid condition can lead to death. This study shows that important first steps include addressing preventability, in particular, provider factors, which may play a role in moving women along the continuum of morbidity and mortality.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Maternal Health, Maternal Morbidity

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.

[ Recorded presentation ] Recorded presentation

Evidence Based Childbirth:Does Data Make a Difference in the Medical Delivery Business?

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA