PERINATAL MORTALITY (PNM): A DISSECTION OF SOCIAL MYTHS, SOCIOECONOMIC TABOOS AND PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESS -

ALEEZA TARIQUE . MAJIDA KHAN . LUBNA AHMED

Background: Several independent and inter-dependent factors contribute in high rates of perinatal mortality (still births and early neonatal deaths). The Aim of this study was to identify community based myths and obscure beliefs that affect maternal health, and to find socio-economic and psychological co-relates impacting on PNM.

Methodology: A small scale, community based study was carried out in June, 2012 at squatter settlements of Karachi, Pakistan during undergraduate electives at Aga Khan University Karachi. A pretested structured questionnaire was administered to married women of child bearing age (15-49 years) with a history of perinatal mortality.

Results: Study showed that out of 55 successfully surveyed women, 63.6% did not take antenatal care; 40.9% due to