LAUSR

Maternal death is an indicator of quality and efficiency of reproductive health services and is regarded as a composite measure of the country’s progress. Reduction in maternal mortality is one of the eight globally accepted Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). To achieve the goal of 109, by 2015, the developing world needs to take challenge where the burden of maternal mortality is 99 per cent. This study attempts to understand the strength of relationship of the correlates of maternal mortality with actual maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to come out with policy implications to lessen maternal deaths. Based on the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-3 data on maternal health indicators and sample registration systems (SRS) estimates of maternal mortality, the relationships are explored. Maternal deaths would significantly reduce when fertility declines, that is, when contraception increases, when status of women enhances, they are sufficiently fed to have normal body mass index (BMI) and have awareness of reproductive health issues. The most prominent correlate is utilization of reproductive health care services. When all antenatal, natal and postnatal services are utilized to a large extent, maternal deaths would diminish significantly. Effective implementation of services is a key to trim down maternal mortality.