Indian Journal of Forensic and Community Medicine
  • Year: 2017
  • Volume: 4
  • Issue: 4

Social and biomedical causes of maternal mortality in Barpeta district of Assam-A community based study

  • Author:
  • Swapna D Kakoty1, Saswati Sanyal Choudhury2, Beeva Boruah3, Priyanka Das4,
  • Total Page Count: 4
  • Page Number: 225 to 228

1Associate Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College, Barpeta, Assam

2Associate Professor, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College, Barpeta, Assam

3Professor & HOD, Dept. of Community Medicine, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College, Barpeta, Assam

4Assistant Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College, Barpeta, Assam

*Corresponding Author: Email: drpriyankadas4@gmail.com

Online published on 23 February, 2018.

Abstract

Maternal mortality is an important socio-demographic indicator. India has a high maternal mortality ratio and within India the state of Assam has the highest MMR in the country. Though maternal death is a biomedical event there are many factors leading to it. Social and biomedical factors are one such determinant. The present study attempt to analysis the role of such factors in a maternal death at a district level.

The study was done in Barpeta district of Assam. The maternal deaths during this year were identified by active and passive surveillance. In 50% of death social autopsy was conducted at the home of the deceased.

In 64% of maternal death social factors were found to cause or contribute to death of mother. Unlike previously reported in the state, post-partum hemorrhage is the leading cause of death followed by anemia and eclampsia. All villages in which mother died had ANM/ASHA and the mother sought antenatal care. Thus quality of ANC has to be improved.

Social factors are important determinant of maternal death. As social factors will take a long time for improvement service related deficiencies will have to be addressed immediately for further reduction of maternal death.

Keywords

Maternal Mortality, Surveillance, Social Cause, Post-Partum Hemorrhage, Assam, Accidental Maternal Death