Current Approach to Reduction of Maternal Mortality 1

Maternal Health: Scope of Problem

 180–200 million pregnancies per year

 75 million unwanted pregnancies
 50 million induced abortions
 20 million unsafe abortions (same as above)
 600,000 maternal deaths (1 per minute)
 1 maternal death = 30 maternal morbidities

Current Approach to Reduction of Maternal Mortality 2

 Neonatal Health: Scope of Problem

 3 million neonatal deaths (first week of life)

 3 million stillbirths

Current Approach to Reduction of Maternal Mortality 3

 Maternal Mortality: A Global Tragedy

 Annually, 585,000 women

die of pregnancy related
complications
 99% in developing world
 ~ 1% in developed
countries

Current Approach to Reduction of Maternal Mortality 4

 Maternal Death Watch
Every Minute...
 380 women become pregnant
 190 women face unplanned or
unwanted pregnancy
 110 women experience a
pregnancy related
complication
 40 women have an unsafe
abortion
 1 woman dies from a
pregnancy-related
complication

Current Approach to Reduction of Maternal Mortality 5

 Global Causes of Maternal Mortality
Hemorrhage 24.8%

Infection 14.9%
19.8 24.8
Eclampsia 12.9%
7.9
Obstructed Labor
6.9%
14.9 Unsafe Abortion
12.9 12.9%
6.9 12.9 Other Direct Causes
7.9%
Indirect Causes
19.8%

Current Approach to Reduction of Maternal Mortality 6

 But WHY Do These Women Die?
Three Delays Model
 Delay in decision to seek care
 Lack of understanding of complications
 Acceptance of maternal death
 Low status of women
 Socio-cultural barriers to seeking care
 Delay in reaching care
 Mountains, islands, rivers — poor organization
 Delay in receiving care
 Supplies, personnel
 Poorly trained personnel with punitive attitude
 Finances

Current Approach to Reduction of Maternal Mortality 7

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