Complications of Pregnancy Remain Major Cause of Death in Africa
Complications of Pregnancy Remain Major Cause of Death in Africa
The Herald (Harare)
NEWS
August 21, 2005
Posted to the web August 22, 2005
Harare
ALMOST all deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth occur in less developed countries with sub-Saharan Africa being the worst affected region.
A total of 529 000 (one in every 74) maternal deaths were recorded worldwide in 2000; 257 000 (one in every 61) in less developed countries; and 2 500 (one in every 2 800) in developed countries. Africa claimed 251 000 maternal deaths.
Of these, 247 000 (one in every 16 deaths) occur in sub-Saharan Africa, followed by south-central Asia with 207 000 (one in every 46 deaths).
The complications of pregnancy and childbirth remain a leading cause of death and disability among women in developing countries.
Trends in maternal deaths are hard to assess. Measuring maternal mortality is difficult and complex, resulting in a wide margin of uncertainty in the estimates.
The percentage of births attended by skilled personnel is a key indicator used to monitor progress toward reducing maternal deaths. If a pregnant woman receives assistance during labour and delivery from a medically trained person - a doctor, nurse or professional midwife - she is more likely to receive the appropriate medical care in the event of a life-threatening complication.
Improvements in this area from mid-1990s to around 2000 were only slight, and survey data from some countries show a drop in skilled assistance.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200508221044.html
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