Abstract

This study conducted to determine trends and epidemiological characteristics of maternal death in Diwania province-Iraq 2016-2020..Maternal mortality is one of the most sensitive indicators of the quality of health care in each country. In 2020, the global maternal mortality ratio was 152 deaths per 100,000 live births Iraq maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was 291/100,000 live births in 1999 according to Iraqi Maternal Mortality Survey (IMMS). In 2006-2007 the figure was 84 per 100, 000 live birth by world health organization WHO, adjusted to 74 by UNICEF in 2012 and finally to 36 in 2015. Methods: Review from surveillance data series for the period of 2016-2020.Results: The study identified 83 maternal deaths MD during the period 2016-2020 with 180,500 total live birth.The MMR were 47, 43, 36, 39, and 44 per 100.000 live births during 2016-2020 respectively.The leading causes of death were thrombo-embolic events 38(46%) , hemorrhage 20(24%), 9 (11%)hypertensive and cardiac diseases, septicemia 4 (5%) , obstructed labour 6 (7%) and 6 (7%) other causes.Out of 83 death, there were 66 (80%) gestational age more than 20 weeks, 66 (80%) the gravity was less than 4.The study showed that 64(77of the dead women were from rural areas.Conclusion: This review demonstrates the characteristic of maternal deaths predominance among women having no ANC , pre-existing risk factors and gravida less than 4.The maternal death trend reveals high in women with low socio-economic status, low education and mostly of rural areas.