Maternal mortality in rural Bangladesh.

Studies were carried out by the Cholera Research Laboratory to investigate maternal mortality in rural Bangladesh. In the 1st study field workers interviewed the closest relative of every reported deceased female in the reproductive age group to diagnose the probable cause of death. The 2nd investigation involved an analysis of all registered birth and death reports in a specified population. In the 2 studies the maternal mortality rates were found to be 7.7 and 5.7 deaths/1000 live births. Nearly 1/3 of all deaths of adult females aged 10-49 years were maternity related. At high risk to maternal mortality were high-parity women and especially primigravida women. A family planning program antenatal health services and instruction in home delivery could reduce the mortality rate.