Abstract
Maternal mortality is a serious issue and remains a challenge in developing regions of the world. Pakistan is among those countries of the world where large numbers of maternal mortality cases are reported. This article has highlighted those significant contributory cultural and social factors which are the main reasons behind most of the maternal deaths. The objectives of the study was to examine the socio-cultural practices that lead to Maternal deaths in South Punjab in the context of three delay model of maternal mortality. The data was received while conducting Focus group discussion with lady health workers of Dera Ghazi khan division and it was analyzed by using thematic analysis. The study found that poverty, unemployment, poor status of women, gender inequalities and lack of awareness on maternal health were the prime causes found in all three delays. The data also showed the certain cultural practices especially the preference of traditional birth attendant in deliveries in villages, large family size, early marriages, presence of quacks in villages and relying on spiritual healers to deal with maternal emergencies are leaving negative effects on maternal health of rural women. It was revealed that the poor infrastructure of villages, lack of facilities at nearest health centers including basic health units, tehsil and district hospital and dissatisfactory role of doctors at gynecology ward were the other contributory factors of maternal mortality.