Factors influencing maternal health complications during pregnancy and immediate postpartum periods in Bangladesh

The majority of maternal deaths occurs due to health complications during pregnancy and immediate postpartum period. Despite notable progress, Bangladesh remains far from achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 3 target to reduce maternal mortality. Investigating the factors responsible for pregnancy and postpartum complications is crucial to decrease maternal mortality. This study is intended to identify the risk factors of maternal complications during pregnancy and immediate postpartum period in Bangladesh. This study has utilized the secondary data derived from Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, 2019. The two separate binary outcome variables are defined indicating the occurrence of maternal health complications during pregnancy and in the immediate postpartum period. A total of 3049 women who were currently pregnant or gave live birth in the last 42 days are included to investigate pregnancy related complications. Moreover, to study maternal health complications in the immediate postpartum period, 404 women who gave live birth in the last 42 days are selected in this study. Binary logistic regression models have been employed to assess both adjusted and unadjusted effects of potential determinants of complications during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Prevalence of health complications during pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period stands at 4.5% and 13.4%, respectively. Findings indicate significant associations of media exposure, parity, and maternal age at pregnancy with health complications during pregnancy. Secondary or higher education and residence in the northern region show protective effects against postpartum complications. Moreover, higher risks of postpartum complications emerge among women exposed to violence and mothers of male children. Reduction of maternal mortality requires strengthened availability and readiness of quality maternal healthcare services across all divisions. Antenatal care for older women should be promoted to minimize pregnancy complications. Expansion of women’s educational attainment and prevention of violence during and after pregnancy remain crucial for averting postpartum complications.