MATERNAL MORTALITY IN KERALA

Maternal Sepsis emerging as a killer in Kerala state, according to recently released reports in The Hindu by Kerala Foundation of Gynaecology & Obstetrics. Out of 676 death during 2006-2009, maternal sepsis occupies 8% followed by post partum haemorrhage(19.38%) and Hypertensive disorders(12%). Sepsis accounted for 7% of all maternal death and was its fifth leading cause, in 2006, now at third position by increasing 1 %. Kerala is a well known state for personal hygiene. It reveals that practice of aseptic techniques in the labour room, poor general hygiene in the hospitals, and lack of aggressive treatment approach to infections. Prolonged induction of labour, traumatic delivery, malnutrition and anaemia, and C-section are some of the major predisposing factors to maternal sepsis. Therefore it is essential to formulate a comprehensive sepsis management strategy focussing on more efficient hospital-based infection control programme.