A sample survey to assess maternal mortality was conducted in two subdistricts of Sukabumi regency, West Jawa comprising 65.000 people in 15 villages. Data were collected from 1 September 1982 throught 31 agustus 1983. In one year period 2407 deliveries were recorded, with 9 deaths during deliveries and 2 deaths during pregnancies. The maternal mortality ratio was 468.1 per 100,000 live births (LB). Age specific maternal mortality ratio increased at the age of 30 years and over. The maternal mortality rate was 73.7 per 100,000 women aged 15-49 years. Specific maternal mortality rate was high among women aged 30—39 years, which was partly associated with the high fertility rate among the group besides the increasing risk of maternal deaths. Direct obstetric causes were reported in 383.0 maternal deaths per 100,000 LB, which were frequently due to hemorrhage and obstructed labour. Indirect obstetric causes were reported in 85.1 maternal deaths per 100,000 LB.
