Maternal Mortality in Cordoba City, Argentina: Causes, Determinants and Trends

Background: The improvement of maternal health and reduction of maternal mortality have been a priority on the global community’s agenda. In this sense, the “plan of action to accelerate the reduction of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity” has focused on improving women’s health and attempted to contribute to the efforts of different countries to meet the fifth Millennium Development Goal (MDG 5). As the member states committed to achieving the MDGs, a considerable decline in maternal mortality was noted across the Region. The aim of the present work was to investigate maternal mortality rates in the city of Cordoba between 2008 and 2017. In addition, the study aimed analyzing the causes associated with maternal mortality and determining the sociodemographic profile of maternal deaths from direct and indirect causes in the 2015-2017. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective study was performed. Secondary data sources obtained from official publications were searched, especially those produced by the Mother-Child Bureau, the Department of Provincial Statistics, and the Municipal Epidemiology Center. Results: During the period from 2008 to 2017, a declining MMR trend was observed in the city of Cordoba, with a 26.8% decline from 31.2‰ in 2008 to 22.9‰ in 2017. Analysis of the causes of maternal death showed that in 2015-2017 most corresponded to direct causes (56%), followed by indirect causes (38%) and abortion (6%). These data agree with the latest report by the Ministry of Health in Argentina (57% of direct causes). Cordoba city has experienced a substantial decline in MMR, and that maternal deaths account for only a small percentage of overall deaths in the city. Conclusions: Nevertheless, maternal deaths occurred in a population that is usually healthy and are mostly avoidable with well-known interventions. Therefore, it is essential to adequately characterize this public health problem, to strengthen public policies targeting the reduction of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, as well as the optimal care of women during pregnancy and childbirth.