Abstract

CASTANEDA BARBERAN, Denia et al. Characterization of extremely severe maternal morbidity in Camaguey province (2009). Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol [online]. 2014, vol.52, n.2, pp. 152-162. ISSN 1561-3003.

Introduction: through the control and analysis of extremely severe maternal morbidity, it is possible to evaluate the health status in an accurate and precise way. This indicator, closely associated to maternal death, is a valid alternative as a maternal care quality indicator. Objective: to characterize extremely severe maternal morbidity in Camaguey province. Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from January through December 2009 in a universe of 72 patients, who were diagnosed as extremely severe maternal morbidity in the maternal hospitals of Camaguey and in the intensive care unit of the provincial hospital, according to the classification criteria. Data were collected from the medical history of each pregnant woman during her prenatal and hospital care. Results: the prevailing age group was over 35 years accounting for 26.3 %. Seventy two patients were classified as extremely severe maternal morbidity cases; 65.3 % of them did give birth but 34.7 % did not because of several causes (ectopic pregnancies, delayed abortions and Ludwig angina). The identified risks were malnutrition (38.8 %), extreme age (35.1 %), blood hypertension (31.4 %), anemia (25.9 %), vaginal infection (22.2 %) and preeclampsia (16.6 %). Conclusions: the condition was mostly diagnosed during delivery, being the obstetric hemorrhage the main cause of morbidity.

Keywords : extremely severe morbidity; epidemiology; maternal wellbeing.

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