A study of Maternal Mortality over a period of 5 years (1975 to 1979) was carried out on the basis of data supplied by Maternity and General Hospitals in Florianópolis (SC) and the Santa Catarina State Health Department. It was found 44 deaths (which 65.9% were not resident in Florianópolis) and 43,380 liveborn (LB) and by using these data specific Maternal Mortality Rates for type of death, chronological age, parity, place of residence and type of delivery were determined. The results showed that the Maternal Mortality rate was high, with an average rate of 10.14/10,000 LB for the period, with no tendency to reduction. The direct specific obstetric death rate showed fairly constant values for the period with an average of 7.61/10,000 LB. The age group which presented the highest age specific death rate was that of women between 35 and 39. The death rates were higher for women who lived in other places as compared with the Capital. The highest death rate related to the type of delivery was found for women with cesarean sections, with a average rate 9.29/10.000 LB for the period. The average rate for normal delivery was 3.90/10,000 LB for the period.
Maternal mortality; Maternity; Hospital, general; Mortality
