Maternal deaths at Songea Regional Hospital, southern Tanzania.

During the years 1986 and 1987 there were a total of 7523 deliveries at the Songea Regional Hospital, Southern Tanzania. There were 39 maternal deaths giving a Maternal Mortality Rate of 5.2/1000 deliveries. The major causes of deaths were sepsis following Caesarean section for obstructed labour, ruptured uterus and haemorrhage. 43.6% of the deaths were of women referred from long distances with a diagnosis of prolonged labour. It is stressed that early and facilitated referral, together with the use of the partogram in labour and use of family planning services will reduce the high maternal mortality rate in this region.