Maternal mortality in Basra city during years 2022 and 2023

Background: Maternal mortality, resulting from pregnancy or delivery complications, profoundly impacts families, with 830 women dying daily from preventable causes, mostly in poorer countries. Aims of the study: To estimate the maternal mortality ratio and causes of the maternal mortality for the last 2 years 2022 and 2023 in Basra city. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective registry-based study was conducted in Basra Maternity Hospitals during 2022 and 2023 reviewed maternal deaths among women aged 15-49, analyzing data on antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. It differentiated between direct and indirect obstetric deaths, using medical records, death certificates, and forensic reports. Results: Maternal deaths increased in Basra from 2022 to 2023, with the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) rising from 31.69 to 45.00 per 100,000 live births. The study of 68 maternal deaths revealed that 27.94% were aged 31-35, 66.18% lived in Basra's peripheries, and 92.65% were housewives. Most deaths occurred during puerperium (45.59%) and were primarily due to direct obstetric causes like pulmonary embolism (29.41%) and hemorrhage (23.53%). Conclusion: Despite global efforts to reduce mortality, maternal deaths in Basra remain high, predominantly affecting women from outlying districts with low education and housewives. The highest mortality was among women aged 30-34 and multigravida. Most deaths occurred during puerperium, with direct obstetric causes like pulmonary embolism and postpartum haemorrhage being significant contributors.