The study describes the characteristics of maternal deaths in the city
of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during 2000- 2003. After investigation by
public-health services, 217 maternal deaths were identified among
predominantly non-white (48.9%), single (57.1%) women aged
29.6\ub17.3 years on average. Direct obstetric causes corresponded to
77.4% of the maternal deaths, mainly due to hypertensive disorders.
HIV-related diseases accounted for 4% of the maternal deaths. Almost
three-fourths of the mothers who died were aged 20-39 years, although
the highest risk of maternal death corresponded to the age-group of
40-49 years (248.9 per 100,000 livebirths). The socioeconomic and
demographic profiles of maternal deaths in the city of Rio de Janeiro
reflected a vulnerable social situation. Appropriate interventions
aimed at reducing maternal mortality need to encompass all women of
childbearing age, irrespective of the magnitude of the risk of maternal
death