Maternal death surveillance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2017–2021: Causes and contributing factors

Although the maternal mortality ratio in Addis Ababa is lower than the national rate, it is still above the WHO target. Almost all maternal deaths were results of the direct obstetric causes. Delays in receiving appropriate and timely care remain the leading contributing factor to maternal deaths. Strengthening emergency referral systems, enhancing facility-based management capacity through health worker training, and increasing community awareness could address key gaps in reducing preventable maternal mortality. Enhanced surveillance can be used to monitor the impact of interventions over time.