DETERMINANTS OF PREGNANCY-RELATED COMPLICATIONS IN PAKISTAN: A STATISTICAL EXPLORATION OF MATERNAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy-related complications remain a major public health challenge in Pakistan, contributing significantly to maternal morbidity and mortality. Despite efforts to improve maternal health services, limited access to care, sociocultural barriers, and undiagnosed comorbidities continue to endanger the lives of pregnant women. This study aims to identify the key determinants of pregnancy-related complications using data from the Pakistan Maternal Mortality Survey. Methods: This study employs a quantitative research design using secondary data obtained from the Pakistan Maternal Mortality Survey 2019. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, correlation analysis, and binary logistic regression. The model examined the likelihood of experiencing complications based on predictors such as anemia, hypertension, sepsis, diabetes, and fetal positioning issues. Model performance was evaluated using classification accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and Nagelkerke R². Results: The prevalence of pregnancy-related complications among participants was 47%. Anemia (45%), hypertension (23%), and infections such as UTIs (18%) and sepsis (12%) were among the most frequently reported conditions. Logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension (AOR = 3.09), sepsis (AOR = 2.70), and fetal position abnormalities (AOR = 2.61) were statistically significant predictors of complications. Correlation analysis also identified significant associations between co-occurring conditions such as hypertension and gestational diabetes.  Conclusions: The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive antenatal screening and prompt management of infectious and hypertensive disorders among pregnant women in Pakistan. The significant associations between early symptoms and complications highlight the role of community-level awareness and timely medical intervention. Policymakers must prioritize maternal health by addressing systemic healthcare gaps, improving access to care, and integrating targeted interventions in maternal health programs.