FACTORS AFFECTING MATERNAL MORTALITY IN BHUTAN

Abstract

Maternal mortality is one of the public health challenges of the developing countries like Bhutan which is indeed preventable from the loss of life of women in reproductive age. This study intends to investigate the factors affecting maternal death, and further examine the deferential in death across three regions under 20 Dzongkhags (districts) of the country. Based on the first ever nation-wide Population and Housing Census of Bhutan conducted in 2005, a total of 55 deaths related to pregnancy in the last one year-period were reported. For only 18 Dzongkhags the respondents had reported the maternal death cases. The findings showed significant association between the occupation and residence at p < 0.025 while the region had odds of 0.64 and 0.21 being in eastern and central regions.The study reveals that there was significantly no difference in pregnancy death between the regions. Perhaps, indicating comparatively equal development in providing health care services, including availability and accomplishments of health providers. Overwhelmingly, the western region reported relatively high number of pregnancy related death and the lowest in the eastern region. However, the less developed Dzongkhags such as Gasa, Trashiyangtse, Zhemgang show more deaths as compared to developed dzongkhags like Thimphu and Paro. It was concluded that government or policy makers should give a thought on establishing better health care facility. This could prevent our mothers from the risk of maternal death and enable them to access health timely and acquire greater awareness easily on the importance of seriousness of the pregnancy related complications.