Maternal and Perinatal Death Review at the Facility: an Approach to the Collection and Analysis of Data on Mortality in Bangladesh

At present maternal mortality in Bangladesh are 194 per 100,000 live births. Unavailability of human resources especially skilled provider, shortage of logistics/supplies and delay of clients to come to the facility, are the major causes of deaths at the health facility. Under pay-for-performance (P4P) at the facility based operation research, maternal and perinatal death review was introduced in the two intervention districts to contain deaths and take appropriate preventive measures. In order to carry out death reviews, facility-based death review teams formed and data was collected through death notification slip, death review form and agreed standard procedure. Findings shows that, 3 maternal deaths and 102 perinatal deaths occurs at the selected health facilities during the intervention period in these two districts. Most of the client admitted at the facility with unconsciousness and shock. Majority of neonatal deaths were due to perinatal asphyxia, sepsis, and birth trauma. Delay in decision making of client’s family, shortage of manpower and logistics at facilities, delay to refer are the major causes of maternal and perinatal death. Data collection on death and analysis of causes of death at the facility will contribute to take appropriate action to reduce maternal and perinatal death.