Causes and factors contributing to maternal deaths in Namibia

It is reported that globally an estimate of 350000 to 500000 women die annually from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Namibia as a member of the international community with its own challenges in the health system has also contributed to the mortality figures. MMR significantly increased from 271/100000 in 2000 to 449/100000 live births in 2006/07 and there is a growing concern whether Namibia will be able to achieve the target of reducing MMR by three quarters by 2015. Little is known about the specific factors contributing to maternal deaths in Namibia and a sample for the verbal autopsy consisting of respondents who were identified using the records of all reported maternal death cases in the institutions was drawn. The VA tool was employed to gather information through interviews in the community with family members, relatives, neighbours, or any person who witnessed the road to maternal death of the identified woman. A total of 97 deceased women of childbearing age were included for verbal autopsy. The most common illness suffered by the majority of deceased was HIV/AIDS. About 59% women died as a result of direct causes and the most common direct cause of death was reported to be post-partum hemorrhage.