Evolución de la mortalidad materna en Ecuador, año 2019 - 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Maternal mortality refers to the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days after delivery from health-related causes. It is a crucial indicator of inequality in access to health care. Objective: To analyze the evolution of maternal mortality in Ecuador from 2019 to 2023 to understand its trends and determinants. Methodology: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and quantitative design was used, analyzing 584 anonymized maternal death cases reported by the Epidemiological Gazette of Maternal Deaths from the Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador, which are publicly available. The analysis included frequencies and measures of central tendency by creating tables and statistical graphs using Excel 2024 and SPSS version 15. Results: Eighty-two percent of deaths occurred in women aged 20 to 39 years, with hypertensive disorders and obstetric hemorrhages being the main direct causes. Regarding geographical distribution, Zone 8 (Guayaquil, Durán, Samborondón) recorded the highest number of cases. Additionally, 50.9% of maternal deaths occurred after cesarean sections. The Maternal Mortality Ratio peaked in 2020 (62.7/per 100,000 live births) during the COVID-19 pandemic, gradually decreasing to 35.9 in 2023. Conclusions: The maternal mortality ratio and rate reached their highest peaks in 2020 and 2023 among young women, especially in coastal areas and in multiparous, mestizo, and Indigenous women.