Incidence and causes of maternal death during 20-year period (1986-2005) in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The purpose of this study was to determine how increased inaccessibility of health care during the war reflected on maternal outcomes in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina. We retrospectively collected data from the databases of University Department for Gynecology and Obstetrics and Department of Patology. During war years (1992-1995), the rate of maternal mortality was 87/100,000 births, in the prewar (1986-1991) was 49/100,000 births, in the postwar (1996-2000) was 50/100,000 births, and in the 2001-2005 period was 23/100,000 births. Maternal mortality was significantly higher during the war, mainly due to lower adequacy and accessibility of health care, explosive injuries, and inadequate nutrition.