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Table 1 Indicators and causes of death used in the InterVA-M model

From: Revealing the burden of maternal mortality: a probabilistic model for determining pregnancy-related causes of death from verbal autopsies

Indicators

Causes

was she pregnant at death

had professional assistance at delivery

HIV/AIDS related death

died within 6 w of delivering a baby

was delivery by Caesarean

malaria

died within 6 w of early pregnancy ending

was delivery by forceps/Ventouse

tuberculosis (pulmonary)

said to be non-pregnant 6 wks before death

did uterus came out after delivery

hepatitis

was she married at time of death

any swelling of feet and ankles

cardiovascular disease

was death during wet season

any swelling of face

respiratory disease

was she aged under 20 yrs

any blurred vision

injury

was she aged 20 to 34 yrs

any acute abdominal pain

suicide

was she aged 35 to 49 yrs

any foul smelling vaginal discharge

cancer

had she ever been pregnant

any previous Caesarian section

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was she breast-feeding before death

any stiff neck

not pregnant within 6 weeks of death

was the pregnancy unwanted

any excessive night sweats

pregnancy ended within 6 weeks of death

any attempt to terminate pregnancy

any enlarged swollen glands

pregnant at death

was this her first pregnancy

any persistent cough > 3 wks

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were there >4 previous pregnancies

any persistent fever > 3 wks

haemorrhage

was this a multiple pregnancy

was she coughing up blood

pregnancy-related sepsis

was she < 3 months pregnant at death

any jaundice or yellowness of skin/eyes

non-pregnancy related infection

any history of acute fever

any ulceration or infected wound

obstructed labour

any required IV or IM antibiotics

was she immunized against tetanus

ruptured uterus

was there coma >24 hrs before death

did she require iron injections

pregnancy-induced hypertension

did she ever have fits

any diagnosis of epilepsy

abortion

any pallor and/or anaemia

any diagnosis of TB

anaemia

any general swelling of body

any diagnosis of HIV/AIDS

ectopic pregnancy

breathless carrying out normal activities

any diagnosis of thrush

 

any weight loss

any diagnosis of Karposi's sarcoma

 

Recently bed bound for most of day

any diagnosis of malaria

 

any sudden collapse

any diagnosis of liver disease

 

any blood transfusion required

any diagnosis of haemoglobinopathy

 

hysterectomy shortly before death

any surgery in month before death

 

any recurrent fever

any diagnosis of cancer

 

any shivering with fever

any diagnosis of heart disease

 

major bleeding in 1st 3 months of preg

any suggestion of recent injury

 

major bleeding in pregnancy or delivery

any suggestion of suicide

 

did the placenta remain inside

  

was death within 24 hrs of preg ending

  

any delay in reduction of uterus size

  

was blood pressure raised during preg

  

any proteinuria reported

  

were fits only pregnancy related

  

was labour prolonged >24 hr

  

was a baby delivered alive

  

did she die in labour undelivered

  

was baby's position abnormal

  

was baby too big for delivery

  

was part of baby prolapsed

  

was delivery at home

  

was delivery at a health facility