"Near-Miss obstetric events" and its clinico-social correlates in a secondary referral unit of Burdwan District in West Bengal

Near-miss obstetric events (NMEs) refers to the situations where women experience severe, life-threatening obstetric complications during pregnancy, delivery, or postpregnancy (up to 42 days) which they survive either by chance or because they receive good care at a facility. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2016 at the subdivisional hospital of West Bengal. The WHO near-miss criteria were followed for case identification. Data were collected by interview and record review. No maternal deaths were reported during data collection period; however, the frequency of NMEs was quite high (38%). Maternal near-miss ratio was 379.51/1000 live births, and maternal mortality index was 0%. Higher age group, below poverty line status, term pregnancy, and higher gravid and higher parity significantly favored the occurrence of NMEs, while ANC registration and Iron and Folic Acid consumption were significantly protective against it. Early identification of risk factors for NMEs and prompt initiation of treatment plays a critical role in the management of NMEs.