Maternal deaths: the need to rethink coping strategies

Aline Cruz Esmeraldo Áfio; Maria Alix Leite Araujo; Ana Fátima Braga Rocha; Roumayne Fernandes Vieira Andrade; Simone Paes de Melo

doi:10.15253/2175-6783.2014000400010

Autores/as

Aline Cruz Esmeraldo Áfio
Maria Alix Leite Araujo
Ana Fátima Braga Rocha
Roumayne Fernandes Vieira Andrade
Simone Paes de Melo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15253/2175-6783.2014000400010

Palabras clave:

Maternal Mortality, Women’s Health, Epidemiological Surveillance.

Resumen

This study aimed to analyze maternal deaths and present the Maternal Mortality Ratio in the city of Fortaleza, in the Northeast region of Brazil, from 2008-2010. This is a descriptive study. Data collection occurred in the Mortality Information System and in the maternal death investigation files of the Local Health Department. Fifty-six maternal deaths were investigated with a Maternal Mortality Ratio of 39.75/100,000 live births. The prevalent age group was 20-29 years (50.0%). Hypertensive disorders (50.0%) were the most prevalent causes of direct obstetric deaths. As for indirect obstetric deaths, infectious and parasitic diseases (28.1%) prevailed. Nearly all deaths were considered preventable or possibly preventable (91.1%). Thus, it can be assumed that most deaths could have been avoided by ensuring the quality of prenatal care.