Summary
ObjectivesThis study examined the risk factors of mortality related to pregnancy for the first year post partum in a cohort of 25,580 pregnancies.Study design
Longitudinal cohort follow-up.
Methods
Details of socio-economic status, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), diet, illness, work, substance use and previous pregnancy history were collected during early to mid-gestation, and these women were followed for 1 year post partum. All-cause mortality rates per 100,000 pregnancies were calculated for deaths during pregnancy or up to 42 days post partum (early period) and 43–364 days post partum (late period). Odds ratios (OR) of mortality were estimated using five groups of risk factors: biological; morbidity; dietary; lifestyle; and socio-economic. Significant factors within each group were included in a single risk model for each time period.
Results
Early and late pregnancy-related mortality rates were 469 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 385–553] and 254 (95 % CI 192–316), respectively. Maternal age 35 years was associated with a three- to four-fold increase in mortality, whereas increasing parity conferred increasing protection. In the final model, a larger MUAC and consumption of dark green leaves were associated with decreased risk of death in the early period (OR 0.76, 95 % CI 0.67–0.87 and 0.64, 95 % CI 0.41–0.99, respectively). A larger MUAC was also associated with a lower risk of death in the late period. Diarrhoea/dysentery and pre-eclampsia were associated with increased risk of death in the early period (OR 2.78, 95 % CI 1.40–5.51 and 2.95, 95 % CI 1.48–5.90, respectively). Factors weakly associated (P<0.1) with mortality in both periods included night blindness, strenuous work activity and cigarette smoking. No socio-economic factors were significant in the models.
Conclusions
Maternal age, parity, MUAC, diet and illness in early to mid-gestation were associated with risk of death during pregnancy and the first year post partum in rural Nepal.
