scholarly journals Designed to Fail? Revisiting Uganda’s Maternal Health Policies to Understand Policy Design Issues Underpinning missed Targets for Reduction of Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): 2000-2015

Author(s):  
Moses Mukuru ◽  
Jonathan Gorry ◽  
Suzanne N. Kiwanuka ◽  
Linda Gibson ◽  
David Musoke ◽  
...  

Background: Despite Uganda and other Sub-Saharan African countries missing their Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) targets for Millenium Development Goal (MDG) 5, limited attention has been paid to policy design in the literature examining the persistence of preventable maternal mortality. This study examined the specific policy interventions designed to reduce maternal deaths in Uganda and identified particular policy design issues that underpinned MDG 5 performance. We suggest a novel prescriptive and analytical (re)conceptualization of policy in terms of its fidelity to ‘3Cs’ (coherence of design, comprehensiveness of coverage and consistency in application) that could have implications for future healthcare programming. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study. Sixteen Ugandan maternal health policy documents and twenty-one national programme performance reports were examined, and six key informant interviews conducted with national stakeholders managing maternal health programmes during the reference period 2000-2015. We applied the analytical framework of the ‘three delay model’ combined with a broader literature on ‘policy mixing’. Results: Despite introducing fourteen separate policy instruments over 15 years with the goal of reducing maternal mortality. By the end of the MDG period in 2015, only 87.5% of the interventions for the three delays were covered with a notable lack of coherence and consistency evident among the instruments. The three delays persisted at the frontline with 70% of deaths by 2014 attributed to failures in referral policies while 67% of maternal deaths were due to inadequacies in healthcare facilities and trained personnel in the same period. By 2015, 37.3% of deaths were due to transportation issues. Conclusions: The piecemeal introduction of additional policy instruments frequently distorted existing synergies among policies resulting in persistence of the three delays and missed MDG 5 target. Future policy reforms should address the ‘three delays’ but also ensure fidelity of policy design to coherence, comprehensiveness and consistency.

Author(s):  
R. R. Kularni ◽  
D Venkatesh

Background: Since from the inception of safe mother hood programs in India during 1982-1990, there is no enough maternal health initiative and financial resource for funding public health activities. So number of maternal deaths is more in India, presently which is accounted 20% of the world total maternal deaths. The global and national importance has been given during 1990 by forming millennium development goal -5 (MDG) to improve maternal health programs. During these days MMR was high and there has been recognition for Maternal Health Programs since from 1997, when RCH-I, in the year 2005. National rural health mission (NRHM) was launched with the primary and main objective was to reduce infant and maternal mortality rate as per goal and target fixed by the 12th five year plan (NHM) and MDG -5. Under NHM enough financial resources envelop has been allotted to states of India as per program implementation plan (PIP), so effective utilization of these strategic and financial resources to reduce MMR. Hence this study needs to form strategies to improve the maternal health programs to reduce maternal mortality ratio as per NHM and MDG. Methods: We used the range of methods, like analytical methods to generate the strategies to reduce maternal deaths due to the particular cause by introducing the maternal health programmes with the strategies. Results: Maternal mortality ratio reduced from an estimated level of 437 in 1990 to 178 in 2010–12.The all India and Karnataka target for 2015 was 109 so far not reached. It has to be reached at least by 2017. Conclusions: Optimal using of resources with the implementation of proper strategies, it will give the exact result for achievement of planned goal. This study is also revealed that all the aspects of maternal health programmes and MMR. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Mendez-Dominguez ◽  
Karen Santos-Zaldívar ◽  
Salvador Gomez-Carro ◽  
Sudip Datta-Banik ◽  
Genny Carrillo

Abstract Background In Mexico, the COVID-19 pandemic led to preventative measures such as confinement and social interaction limitations that paradoxically may have aggravated healthcare access disparities for pregnant women and accentuated health system weaknesses addressing high-risk patients’ pregnancies. Our objective is to estimate the maternal mortality ratio in 1 year and analyze the clinical course of pregnant women hospitalized due to acute respiratory distress syndrome and COVID-19. Methods A retrospective surveillance study of the national maternal mortality was performed from February 2020–February 2021 in Mexico related to COVID-19 cases in pregnant women, including their outcomes. Comparisons were made between patients who died and those who survived to identify prognostic factors and underlying health conditions distribution. Results Maternal Mortality Ratio increased by 56.8% in the studied period, confirmed COVID-19 was the cause of 22.93% of cases. Additionally, unconfirmed cases represented 4.5% of all maternal deaths. Among hospitalized pregnant women with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome consistent with COVID-19, smoking and cardiovascular diseases were more common among patients who faced a fatal outcome. They were also more common in the age group of < 19 or > 38. In addition, pneumonia was associated with asthma and immune impairment, while diabetes and increased BMI increased the odds for death (Odds Ratio 2.30 and 1.70, respectively). Conclusions Maternal Mortality Ratio in Mexico increased over 60% in 1 year during the pandemic; COVID-19 was linked to 25.4% of maternal deaths in the studied period. Lethality among pregnant women with a diagnosis of COVID-19 was 2.8%, and while asthma and immune impairment increased propensity for developing pneumonia, obesity and diabetes increased the odds for in-hospital death. Measures are needed to improve access to coordinated well-organized healthcare to reduce maternal deaths related to COVID-19 and pandemic collateral effects.


Author(s):  
Darshna M. Patel ◽  
Mahesh M. Patel ◽  
Vandita K. Salat

Background: According to the WHO, 80 of maternal deaths in developing countries are due to direct maternal causes such as haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders and sepsis. These deaths are largely preventable. Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in India is 167/100,000 live births.Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at GMERS, Valsad. Data regarding maternal deaths from January 2016 to December 2017 were collected and analyzed with respect to epidemiological parameters. The number of live births in the same period was obtained from the labour ward ragister. Maternal mortality rate and Mean maternal mortality ratio for the study period was calculated.Results: The mean Maternal mortality rate in the study period was 413.3/100,000 births. The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in India is 167/100,000 live births. More than half of maternal deaths were reported in multiparous patients. More maternal deaths were observed in women from rural areas (67.3%), unbooked patients (73.3%) and illiterate women (65.3%). Thirty six (69.3%) maternal death occurred during postpartum period. Most common delay was first delay (60.0%) followed by second delay (40.0%). Postpartum haemorrhage (28.8%), preeclampsia (17.3%), sepsis (13.46%) were the major direct causes of maternal deaths. Indirect causes accounted for one third of maternal deaths in our study. Anemia, hepatitis and heart disease were responsible for 13.4%, 5.7%, and 1.9% of maternal deaths, respectively.Conclusions: Majority of maternal deaths are observed in patients from rural areas, unbooked, and illiterate patients. Hemorrhage, eclampsia and sepsis are leading causes of maternal deaths. Most of these maternal deaths are preventable if patients are given appropriate treatment at periphery and timely referred to higher centers.


Author(s):  
Jayasree Hansda ◽  
Debobroto Roy ◽  
Krishnapada Das ◽  
Manojit Sarkar ◽  
Rumpa Das ◽  
...  

Background: Maternal mortality is a tragic event as family revolves around a mother. The deadly obstetrical triad of hemorrhage, preeclampsia and infection has accounted for a third of all deaths. This study was conducted to assess maternal mortality ratio, demographic profile and causes of maternal death.Methods: This retrospective longitudinal study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology for a period of three years from 1st January 2018-31st December, 2020. Total no of death during this period was 134.Records of deaths and demographic profiles were retrieved from the medical record library of aforesaid hospital.Results: There were 134 maternal deaths amongst 56815 live births with MMR 235.85. The majority of deaths were in 20-29 year of age group and most of the deaths seen in multigravida. The 91.79% death was observed within the 24 hours and after 72 hours. Eclampsia, preeclampsia and hemorrhage were leading cause of maternal death seen in the study.Conclusions: Maternal mortality is higher than national MMR. Majority of maternal death were preventable by proper antenatal care, early detection of high-risk pregnancies and their timely referral to tertiary care centre.


2009 ◽  
Vol 16 (01) ◽  
pp. 135-138
Author(s):  
TASNIM TAHIRA REHMAN ◽  
MAHNAZ ROOHI

Objective: To find out maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and to determine major causes of maternal death. S t u d y d e s i g n:A descriptive study. Setting: Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. S t u d y period: From 01.01.2008 to31.12.2008. Materials a n d m e t h o d s : All cases of maternal death during this study periods were included except accidental deaths. Results:There were 58 maternal deaths during this period. Total No. of live births were 5975. MMR was 58/5975 x 100,000 = 970/100,000 live births.The most common cause of maternal death was hemorrhage (34.5%) followed by hypertensive disorders/eclampsia (31%). Most of thepatients (75.86%) were referred from primary & secondary care level. C o n c l u s i o n : Maternal mortality is still very high in underdevelopedcountries including Pakistan. We must enhance emergency obstetric care (EOC) to achieve the goal of reduction in MMR.


Author(s):  
Sona Singh ◽  
Nagendra Singh ◽  
Jagriti Kiran Nagar ◽  
Sarvesh Jain

Background: Maternal mortality is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy irrespective of the duration and site of pregnancy from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy, but not from accidental or incidental causes. The aim of this study is to find out the causes of maternal mortality and the complications leading to maternal death.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the hospital records to study the maternal deaths and complication leading to maternal death over the period of one year from July 2016 June 2017 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bundelkhand Medical College, and associated hospital Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. All the maternal deaths were scrutinized for various aspects likely to be related to death such as age, locality of residence, antenatal care, admission death interval and the cause of death.Results: The maternal mortality ratio in the present study is 292.33/100,000 live births. There were 28 maternal deaths out of 9578 live birth during the study period. The majority of deaths occurred in the 20-30 age group. hemorrhage (32.14%) and hypertensive disorders (14.28%) are two most common direct cause of maternal deaths. 42.85% of maternal deaths occurred within the first twenty-four hours of admission. Post-operative and post abortal sepsis, amniotic fluid embolism and pulmonary embolism are other direct causes. Indirect causes of maternal deaths account for 21.42%. Severe anemia was the leading indirect causes of maternal deaths.Conclusions: Hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and anaemia remain the major cause of maternal deaths. Delay in decision making, provision of treatment and referral to tertiary centre contributed higher maternal mortality. This requires more efforts to recognize the direct and indirect causes of maternal deaths.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Pino ◽  
María Albán ◽  
Alejandra Rivas ◽  
Erika Rodríguez

<em>Background</em>: Maternal mortality ratio in Ecuador is the only millennium goal on which national agencies are still making strong efforts to reach 2015 target. The purpose of the study was to process national maternal death databases to identify a specific association pattern of variable included in the death certificate. <br /><em>Design and methods:</em> The study processed mortality databases published yearly by the National Census and Statistics Institute (INEC). Data analysed were exclusively maternal deaths. Data corresponds to the 2003-2013 period, accessible through INEC’s website. Comparisons are based on number of deaths and use an ecological approach for geographical coincidences. <br /><em>Results</em>: The study identified variable association into the maternal mortality national databases showing that to die at home or in a different place than a hospital is closely related to women’s socioeconomic characteristics; there was an association with the absence of a public health facility. Also, to die in a different place than the usual residence could mean that women and families are searching for or were referred to a higher level of attention when they face complications. <br /><em>Conclusions</em>: Ecuadorian maternal deaths showed <em>Patterns of inequity in health status, health care provision and health risks</em>. A predominant factor seems unclear to explain the variable association found processing national databases; perhaps every pattern of health systems development played a role in maternal mortality or factors different from those registered by the statistics system may remain hidden. Some random influences might not be even considered in an explanatory model yet.


Author(s):  
Vrinda Patil ◽  
Vidya Kamath ◽  
Rathnamala M. Desai

Background: Maternal mortality is one of the important indicators of maternal health. Objectives of present study were to determine the frequency of maternal near miss, maternal near miss incidence ratio, maternal near miss to mortality ratio and mortality index and to study the risk factors associated with near miss events.Methods: A retrospective analysis of severe maternal morbidity from January 2015 to December 2015 was studied. Data was collected from women with pregnancy related life-threatening complications, near miss cases and maternal deaths.Results: The total number of deliveries were 5247. The numbers of maternal deaths were 12. Maternal mortality ratio was 228 per one lakh deliveries. There were 5.3 near miss events for every 1 maternal death. The nature and course of near miss cases were analysed. Severe maternal odds ratio was 14.48. Mortality index was 15.78%. Maternal near miss incidence ratio was 12.19.Conclusions: Near Miss Mortality indicator is helpful in identifying the life-threatening conditions and thus aiming to prevent maternal mortality. Hypertensive disorders and its complications are the leading causes of near miss events. Sepsis is the main cause of maternal death.


2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiv D. Gupta ◽  
Anoop Khanna ◽  
Rajeshwari Gupta ◽  
Nand K. Sharma ◽  
Narottam D. Sharma

2015 ◽  
Vol 100 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. S43-S47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua P Vogel ◽  
Cynthia Pileggi-Castro ◽  
Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli ◽  
Vicky Nogueira Pileggi ◽  
João Paulo Souza ◽  
...  

Since the Millennium Declaration in 2000, unprecedented progress has been made in the reduction of global maternal mortality. Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG 5; improving maternal health) includes two primary targets, 5A and 5B. Target 5A aimed for a 75% reduction in the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR), and 5B aimed to achieve universal access to reproductive health. Globally, maternal mortality since 1990 has nearly halved and access to reproductive health services in developing countries has substantially improved. In setting goals and targets for the post-MDG era, the global maternal health community has recognised that ultimate goal of ending preventable maternal mortality is now within reach. The new target of a global MMR of <70 deaths per 100 000 live births by 2030 is ambitious, yet achievable and to reach this target a significantly increased effort to promote and ensure universal, equitable access to reproductive, maternal and newborn services for all women and adolescents will be required. In this article, as we reflect on patterns, trends and determinants of maternal mortality, morbidity and other key MDG5 indicators among adolescents, we aim to highlight the importance of promoting and protecting the sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescents as part of renewed global efforts to end preventable maternal mortality.


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