Maternal Mortality in Africa: Regional Trends (2000–2017)

Abstract

Background: United Nations Sustainable Development Goals state that by 2030, the global maternal mortality rate (MMR) should be lower than 70 per 100,000 live births. MMR is still one of Africa’s leading causes of death among women. The leading causes of maternal mortality in Africa are hemorrhage and eclampsia. This research aims to study regional trends in maternal mortality (MM) in Africa. Methods: We extracted data for maternal mortality rates per 100,000 births from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) databank from 2000 to 2017, 2017 being the last date available. Joinpoint regression was used to study the trends and estimate the annual percent change (APC). Results: Maternal mortality has decreased in Africa over the study period by an average APC of −3.0% (95% CI −2.9; −3,2%). All regions showed significant downward trends, with the greatest decreases in the South. Only the North African region is close to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals for Maternal mortality. The remaining Sub-Saharan African regions are still far from achieving the goals. Conclusions: Maternal mortality has decreased in Africa, especially in the South African region. The only region close to the United Nations’ target is the North African region. The remaining Sub-Saharan African regions are still far from achieving the goals. The West African region needs more extraordinary efforts to achieve the goals of the United Nations. Policies should ensure that all pregnant women have antenatal visits and give birth in a health facility staffed by specialized personnel.

Hypertension Related Co-Morbidities and Complications in Women of Sub-Saharan Africa: A Brief Review

“…176 In comparison, the maternal mortality rate across SSA is 542 deaths per 100 000 live births, while the maternal mortality rate in peer countries such as Egypt is 52 deaths per 100 000 and in South Africa is 88 per 100 000. [177][178][179] The maternal mortality rate in the United States, which is among the worst in the Western world, is 28 deaths per 100 000 live births. 180 However, the maternal mortality rate in SSA may be higher than reports indicated, as maternal deaths commonly occur after discharge from a health care facility and the cause of death is often missing.…”

Assessment of maternal mortality rate and associated risk factors at tertiary hospitals in Burundi (2020-2021): A retrospective cohort study

“…Malaria was the cause of 5 maternal deaths at CHUK, MHK, PRCH, and CHPLR in the years 2020-2021. Regional disparities in MM can be explained by malaria, which is the rst non-obstetric cause of the condition [21] . If infection prevention and control guidelines are not followed while providing obstetric care, this disease, which is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, can develop.…”

A critical review of the strategies towards reducing maternal mortality in a low resource setting: Using South Sudan as a case study

“…Over 99% of maternal deaths take place in developing countries, with sub-Saharan Africa carrying about 66% of these deaths [3] . The United Nations established an objective to lower the global maternal mortality ratio to below 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030, with no country having a maternal mortality ratio above 140 per 100,000 live births, and in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal 3.1 in 2015 (4). Maternal mortality in Africa dropped from 718 per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 442 per 100,000 live births in 2017, according to a report [4] .…”

“…The United Nations established an objective to lower the global maternal mortality ratio to below 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030, with no country having a maternal mortality ratio above 140 per 100,000 live births, and in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal 3.1 in 2015 (4). Maternal mortality in Africa dropped from 718 per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 442 per 100,000 live births in 2017, according to a report [4] . Despite this impressive decline, South Sudan continues to have one of the worst rates of maternal deaths in sub-Saharan Africa.…”