Death... by birth

Around 99% of these maternal deaths take place in the developing world, where having a child remains among the most serious health risks for women.

This is according to the report titled The state of the world's children 2009, that focuses on maternal and neonatal health and identifies the interventions and actions that must be taken to save lives.

The report found that the Niger, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Chad, Angola, Liberia, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Guinea-Bissau and Mali were the countries with the highest lifetime of maternal deaths.

More at risk in least developed countries

According to the report, women in the world's least developed countries were more likely to die in childbirth or from pregnancy-related complications than those in developed countries.

For the developing countries, 21% of maternal deaths take place in just three countries namely the DRC, Ethiopia and Nigeria.

In Niger, for example, the country with the highest lifetime risk of maternal mortality, 1 in 7 women will die from complications related to pregnancy or giving birth.

According to the report, the comparable risk in the developed world is 1 in 8000.

“These women die as a result of infection and of haemorrhage. Some have obstructed labour and cannot get a caesarean section. Others die of preventable complications,” the report stated.

Premature pregnancy and motherhood were found to also pose considerable risks to the health of women.

It was also found that the younger a girl is when she becomes pregnant, the greater the health risks for herself and her baby.

Early marriage problematic

According to the data, the mortality for girls aged between 15-19 worldwide accounts to about 70 000.

Early marriage and pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, sexual violence and other gender related abuses also increase the risks of adolescents dropping out of schools.

This in turn increases the cycle of gender discrimination, poverty and high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality, the report found.

Speaking at the release of the report, Unicef's executive director Ann Veneman said saving the lives of mothers and their newborns required more than just medical intervention.

"Educating girls is pivotal to improving maternal and neonatal health and also benefits families and societies."

In southern Africa, a high number of maternal and newborn deaths are related to HIV and AIDS because the health of the child is inextricably linked to the health of the mother.

Changes must be made

At the household level, Veneman said awareness needed to be increased about the importance of recognising danger signs and ensuring that care for the woman or infant is sought right away.

“Changes must also be made at the community level to address issues such as infrastructure and financial resources to ensure access to health care with, trained health workers that have the appropriate equipment.”

Also speaking at the event, Health Minister Barbara Hogan said even though there has been some progress in improving the lives of children in many parts of the world, much more can and must be done.

For South Africa's part, she said the Department of Health has already commenced on a number of initiatives that are aimed at improving the health status of children in the country.

“We used a series of variables to select our most needy health districts and their sub-districts for accelerated quality interventions. We have started to work with the provinces and district management teams in the 18 districts to look at how we can improve service delivery with respect to maternal and child health in particular,” Hogan told the gathering.

Progress yes, but...

She said the world leaders must recommit to this goal in the context of the Millennium Development Goals and targets.

“Progress has been made in reducing child mortality but much more must be done especially in addressing maternal and newborn health ... the world must approach this task with a shared sense of urgency and a collaborative response. Results will be measured in lives saved and lives improved.”

The report also indicated that around 80% of maternal deaths could be prevented if women had access to essential maternity and basic health care services.

It also found that most maternal and neonatal deaths can be prevented through proven interventions, including: adequate nutrition; improved hygiene practices; antenatal care; skilled health workers assisting at births; emergency obstetric and newborn care and postnatal visits for both mothers and newborns.

These interventions should be delivered through a continuum of care by linking households to health systems.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews