ANALYSIS OF MATERNAL DEATHS IN JIMA-HOSPITAL SOUTHWESTERN ETHIOPIA

From 28 October 1991 to 30 December 199!2, in Jima Hospital, a teachin g hospital serving a predominantly rural population in southwestern Et hiopia, there were 841 deliveries and 573 abortions with 22 maternal d eaths, a maternal mortality rate of 26 per thousand live births. Direc t obstetric causes accounted for 19 of the 22 deaths. The non-obstetri c causes were one case each of intestinal obstruction, cerebral malari a and pneumonia. The most frequent causes of death were illegal aborti on in nine, ruptured uterus in six and post partum haemorrhage (PPH) i n three. Half of the deaths occurred within 24 hours of admission. The causes of maternal death are analyzed and possible preventive measure s are suggested.