Question:

What is the denominator used in calculating the maternal mortality rate (ratio)?

Show Hint

The denominator is per 1,00,000 of what reliably registered birth event?
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • Total number of live births
  • Total number of married women
  • Total number of births
  • Midyear population
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: The maternal mortality ratio measures deaths of women due to pregnancy, childbirth, or the puerperium (up to 42 days after termination of pregnancy).
Step 2: The formula is the number of maternal deaths in a year divided by the total number of live births in the same year, expressed per 1,00,000 live births.
Step 3: \[ \text{MMR} = \frac{\text{Total maternal deaths}}{\text{Total live births}} \times 1{,}00{,}000 \]
Step 4: Live births are used as the denominator because they are a reliable and routinely recorded proxy for the number of pregnancies that progress to delivery. Total births, married women, and midyear population are not the standard denominators. The correct answer is option 1 (Total number of live births).
Was this answer helpful?
0
0