Deaths among women of reproductive age in Cape Verde: causes and avoidability

Subject. In 1992-93 all deaths (n=97) of women 15 to 49 years old in three islands of Cape Verde were investigated to determine the cause of death, th e maternal mortality ratio, the reliability of cause-of-death ascertainment , and the level of avoidability. Method. Data were obtained through interviews with the deceased person's fa mily members and other knowledgeable persons (verbal autopsy) and through h ospital files. Results. The overall mortality rate was 163 per 100,000 women 15-49 years o ld, and the maternal mortality ratio was 127 per 100,000 live births. A pla usible diagnosis could be determined in 77%. The most frequent causes of de ath were circulatory disorders, external causes, maternal causes, infectiou s diseases. and neoplasms. Conclusions. It was estimated that three of four of the deaths were avoidab le with locally available resources. Since access to health care in the stu dy area is not a major hindrance, a further decrease of female mortality de pends mainly on improved quality of care in health facilities.