European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

STUDYING MATERNAL NEAR-MISS AND MATERNAL MORTALITY IN AL NAJAF PROVINCE/ IRAQ

*Zahraa Abdulrahim Katea Alrikabi, Dr. Rafah Yaseen Hasan, Prof. Basima Shamkhi Al Ghazali and Ali Al Nakash

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To estimate the maternal mortality ratio, to determine the frequency of severe maternal near miss cases, and to determine the causes and pattern of MNM and mortality occurrence in Najaf province. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Method: All women who developed maternal death or reported maternal near miss (Selected review of most informative cases), during the years 2018, and 2019 in five hospitals in Najaf province were studied. Data was obtained using records, reports, and statistical sheets at the maternity unit in the public health department/ Najaf directorate of health. These data were collected, categorized, classified, and analyzed. Maternal deaths and maternal near-miss cases were identified according to WHO definitions and criteria. Results: The total maternal deaths were 34, seventeen cases each year, at a rate of 34.5/ 100000 live births. The total near-miss cases reported were 123 with a Maternal near-miss ratio MNMR of 1.25/1000 live births. The most common cause of maternal death was thromboembolism, followed by sepsis, and hypertensive disorders respectively. Most women reported maternal near miss had more than one criterion. Of which the majority was obstetric hemorrhage, cardiovascular dysfunction, and hypertensive disorders respectively. Conclusion: The most common cause of maternal mortality was pulmonary embolism but that for the maternal near-miss was obstetric hemorrhage, with a maternal near-miss to mortality ratio of only 3.5 necessitating better surveillance and quality of care.

Keywords: Maternal near-miss, maternal mortality, severe maternal outcomes, WHO near-miss criteria.