HIV/AIDS ranks last in maternal mortality

A 2006-2010 statistics brief published by Botswana Statistics has revealed that last year, there were only eight HIV-related maternal deaths, three less than the 11 recorded in 2009.The report said respiratory complications, childbirth and puerperium caused nine deaths, followed by protozoal diseases with seven deaths last year.

Eclampsia, with six cases, was identified as the other leading cause of mortality deaths. The report defines maternal mortality ratio as 'the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births'.  "This indicator estimates the proportion of pregnant women or mothers who die from causes related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management," the report says.