07 September 2010
By Vineeta Pandey
Mumbai, India
Contrary to the belief that women in their reproductive age die more due to maternal reasons, a study conducted in Maharashtra has found that tuberculosis, cancers, suicides, injury and poisoning are the major killers of women in the 15–44 age–group.
The study was conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) through its National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, in Thane, Pune, Jalgaon, Akola, Yavatmal and Bhandara districts.
It was found that 93.2% women in the reproductive age–group diedbecause of non–maternal reasons like TB, suicides, myocardial infarction and renal failure.
Only 5.6% died due maternal reasons such as eclampsia, post–partum haemorrhage, puerperal sepsis, antepartum haemorrhage, pregnancy induced hypertension and hepatitis. Majority of the maternal deaths were seen in rural areas indicating the need to strengthen the maternal health care in these areas.
The study said that women are confronted by a dual burden of traditional health threats related to infectious diseases and maternal conditions alongside emerging challenges associated with non–communicable chronic diseases.
Several factors responsible for accidents and suicides also contributed substantially. Deaths due to injury and poisoning were maximum in the 15–24 year age–group.
Among deaths due to injury and poisoning (21%), the leading cause of death was suicides which accounted for 35% of the total such deaths.
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