[Analysis on factors affecting maternal mortality in China].

Objective: To investigate the factors related to maternal mortality rate in 1000 counties of projects on reducing maternal mortality rate (MMR) and eliminating tetanus neonates in China, 2003.

Methods: Study on the association was performed using data on average income per capita, hospital delivery rate and MMR.

Results: Data showed that income per capita and hospital delivery rate had strong association with MMR. MMR for women with income less than 1000 Chinese Yuan per capita was 100.9 per 100 000 live births, and with income over 2000 Yuan per capita was 61.8 per 100 000 live births. MMR was 107.2 per 100 000 live births for women with hospital delivery rate less than 50%, and 54.1 per 100 000 live births with hospital delivery rate over 75%. The hospital delivery rate was less than 50% in the counties with income less than 1000 Yuan per capita, and over 75% with income over 2000 Yuan per capita. Only 19.1% of the counties with income less than 1000 Yuan per capita and 66.7% over 2000 Yuan per capita reached 75% hospital delivery rate.

Conclusion: MMR and hospital delivery rate were affected by economic level of individuals. MMR seemed inversely proportional to income per capita and hospital delivery rate. The hospital delivery rate in 1000 counties was closely associated with income per capita. MMR could be reduced by enhancing hospital delivery rate.