Factors Cause of Maternal Death in Timor-Leste

Abstract

Maternal mortality was an indicator of basic health services for mothers or women of reproductive age of a country and was one of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Factors that affect maternal mortality, among others: medical factors, non-medical factors, and health care system factors. Meanwhile, WHO (2010) reported that the cause of maternal mortality in the world is 25% of bleeding, 15% of infection/sepsis, 12% eclampsia, 13% of abortions are unsafe, 8% obstructed and ectopic pregnancy, 8% embolisms and other related issues with anesthetic problems. WHO (2010) has determined that the maternal mortality rate (MMR) in 40 countries ≥ 300 / 100,000 live births including República Democrática de Timor-Leste at 557 / 100,000 live births. Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between the variables of age, parity, spacing pregnancies, health behavior, and health status of mothers with maternal deaths. Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 298 pregnant women in 13 districts throughout Timor-Leste. Results: Maternal deaths are caused by independent variables simultaneously and the remaining 28.0% were prescribed other factors