Etiological Factors For Maternal Mortality

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Though motherhood is frequently a noble and gratifying occurrence, many impoverished women associated it with suffering, infirmity and death. Some significant etiological factors for maternal morbidity and mortality include hemorrhage, infection, obstructed labor, risky abortions, and indirect causes, such as malaria and HIV. With a growing knowledge of sterilization, and advent of antibiotics, the Global North experienced a major drop in maternal mortality and morbidity. In 2009, the US maternal mortality ratio was 24/per 100,000 live births, 10 times lower than global averages, 260. Off the US coast, the island nation of Haiti’s maternal mortality ratio is 300 per 100,000 live births. In Africa, Liberia has a maternal mortality rate of 990/per 100,000 live births in 2009. The majority of maternal deaths are preventable. Indicators such as having several children, being uneducated, very young or old, or enduring gender discrimination, amplify the phenomenon of maternal morbidity and mortality.

In 2008, 358,000 women died due to complications associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these preventable deaths occurred in developing countries, with a substantial number occurring in Africa. In addition, when a mother dies from pregnancy related causes their children who survive are 10 times more likely to die within two years than those with two living parents. Furthermore, many women who survive childbirth experience serious illness, injury, or disability caused by pregnancy-related complications. Maternal morbidity includes uterine prolapse, pelvic inflammatory disease, vescio-vaginal fistulas, urinary and fecal incontinence, infertility and discomfort during intercourse among other lasting effects of pregnancy...

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... the quality of care suffers, and can pose dangers to programs and care recipients. The SAFE initiative and Millennium Development Goals have made some inroads, and the number of women assisted in births is higher, but much more work is ahead.

There is a need for community-based approaches using pertinent information with incisive agendas supplementing the various general and prominent plans, such as the MDG’s now proceeding. The goal can be singular and consistent but we must be prepared for a certain level of particularity depending the on the society. Community involvement means policy-making power, and an active role in implementation. Moreover, this entails locals receiving thorough training and fair compensation for their work. Correspondingly, there must be positive cultural exchanges. Finally, there must be long-term public infrastructural investment.

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