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NEWS ALERTS | Neighbours outperform India on maternal health
Neighbours outperform India on maternal health

Neighbours outperform India on maternal health

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published Published on May 14, 2014   modified Modified on May 14, 2014

A new report from the United Nations entitled Trends in maternal mortality estimates 1990 to 2013 shows that India accounted for 17 percent (i.e. 50000 maternal deaths) of global maternal deaths (i.e 289000 maternal deaths) in 2013. Previously the State of World’s Children 2009 report stated that India’s share in global maternal deaths was a staggering 22 percent in 2005. (Please see the links below). 
 
 
The latest report on trends in maternal mortality shows that as compared to India (MMR: 190 per 100000 live births)*, its neighbours Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and China have done better in reducing maternal deaths (see table 1).  
 
Table 1: Trends in MMR in various countries during various years
MMR Table 
Source: Trends in maternal mortality estimates 1990 to 2013, The United Nations

MMR in India stood at 560 maternal deaths (per 100000 live births) in 1990, 460 in 1995, 370 in 2000, 280 in 2005 and 190 in 2013. The country reduced MMR by 65 percent between 1990 and 2013. It has been clubbed together with countries "making progress" in reducing MMR by 2%-5.5% annually (on an average) between 1990 and 2013 by the UN report on maternal health.

An Indian woman’s lifetime risk of maternal death** – the probability that a 15 year old woman will eventually die from a maternal cause – is 1 in 190, whereas for a Chinese woman it is 1 in 1800, for a Bangladeshi woman it is 1 in 250, for a Pakistani woman is 1 in 170  and for a Sri Lankan woman is 1 in 1400. 

The proportion of deaths among women of reproductive age that are due to maternal causes (PM)*** in India is 6.7 percent whereas for China it is 1.6 percent, for Bangladesh it is 7.6 percent, for Pakistan it is 9.1 percent and for Sri Lanka it is 2.2 percent.

The present report has classified India among 96 countries with incomplete civil registration and/or other types of maternal mortality data.

Among the other observations, the report mentioned that maternal mortality is higher in women living in rural areas and among poorer communities. Young adolescents face a higher risk of complications and death as a result of pregnancy than older women.

The major complications that account for 80 percent of all maternal deaths are: a. severe bleeding (mostly bleeding after childbirth); b. infections (usually after childbirth); c. high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia); and d. unsafe abortion. The remainder are caused by or associated with diseases such as malaria, and AIDS during pregnancy. Skilled care before, during and after childbirth can save the lives of women and newborn babies, suggests the report.

Other factors that prevent women from receiving or seeking care during pregnancy and childbirth are: poverty, distance, lack of information, inadequate services and cultural practices. 


Note: 

* Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is the number of maternal deaths during a given time period per 100000 live births during the same time period.

** Adult lifetime risk of maternal death is the probability that a 15-year-old women will die eventually from a maternal cause.

*** Proportion of deaths among women of reproductive age that are due to maternal causes (PM) is the number of maternal deaths in a given time period divided by the total deaths among women aged 15–49 years.

References: 

Trends in maternal mortality estimates 1990 to 2013, The United Nations

Maternal mortality, World Health Organization 
 

 

Maternal Mortality down but nowhere close to MDG target 


 

India sees most maternal deaths: UN, IANS, The Business Standard, 7 May, 2014, http://www.im4change.org/latest-news-updates/india-sees-mo
st-maternal-deaths-un-24950.html
 

UN study shows decrease in maternal deaths, The Hindu, 7 May, 2014,

India saw 50,000 maternal deaths in 2013-Nikita Mehta, Live Mint, 6 May, 2014, http://www.im4change.org/latest-news-updates/india-saw-500
00-maternal-deaths-in-2013-nikita-mehta-24938.html
 

India has highest number of maternal deaths -Tabassum Barnagarwala, The Indian Express, 7 May, 2014, http://www.im4change.org/latest-news-updates/india-has-hig
hest-number-of-maternal-deaths-tabassum-barnagarwala-24937
.html
 

Maternal death rates fall but chronic diseases increase pregnancy risk, The United Nations, 6 May, 2014, http://www.im4change.org/latest-news-updates/maternal-deat
h-rates-fall-but-chronic-diseases-increase-pregnancy-risk-
un-agency-24936.html
   
 
 
Image Courtesy: Trends in maternal mortality estimates 1990 to 2013, The United Nations 


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