The major causes and differentials of maternal montality: the case study of Tanga city

This hospital based study undertaken in Tanga city aimed at establishing the recent levels of maternal mortality and identifying the major causes and differentials of maternal mortality. A sample of 9 health facilities, 390 postpartum mothers and 44 deceased women data for year 2004 and 2005 was utilized. In depth interviews and documentary review were the major data collection techniques and statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) was used for analysis. The study revealed that the maternal mortality ratio in Tanga city for the year 2004 and 2005 were about 503 and 312 per 100,000 live birth respectively. Also the major direct causes of maternal death were pregnancy included hypertension (PIH), sepsis and hemorrhages. The major indirect causes were anemia/ Malaria, HIV/AIDS and native drug intoxication. The study found that most of maternal deaths occurred to women who are in optimum age for child bearing (20-34 years). Furthermore, there was no clear relationship between maternal death and parity. Most of the women who died had attended antenatal care (ANC) but most ( 43%) of these attended after their 20th week of gestation age. Most of the deceased women had primary education,. The study found further that most of the deceased women were housewives doing household choes. As for residence, most of the deceased mothers resided in urban areas. Conclusively, these findings show that most of these maternal deaths could be prevented if proper attention and action is paid to their major causative factors. To reduce maternal mortality in Tanga city, the study recommended the following: Women socioeconomic empowerment; community education on potential danger sign in pregnancy; importance of early and regular ANC attendance; establishment of family planning program to reach remote rural areas and adequate reproductive healthcare through ensuring availability to resources and supplies for emergence obstetric interventions