Africa's pregnant mothers suffer 'unacceptable' mortality rates

New findings on maternal mortality have found that a woman living in certain areas of Africa are 175 times more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth than a woman from a developed region, the WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA have claimed.

The report, a global survey on maternal mortality released today, estimated that a woman in sub-Saharan Africa has a 1 in 16 chance of dying in pregnancy or childbirth – compared with a 1 in 2,800 risk for a woman from a developed region.

The research also found that of the 529,000 maternal deaths in 2000, 95% occurred in Africa and Asia, while only 4% (22,000) occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean, and less than 1% (2,500) in the more developed regions of the world.

“These new estimates indicate an unacceptably high number of women dying in childbirth and an urgent need for increased access to emergency obstetric care, especially in sub-Saharan Africa,” said UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy.

“The widespread provision of emergency obstetric care is essential if we want to reduce maternal deaths."

Most maternal deaths and disability occur as the result of one or more of three delays: a delay in recognizing complications; a delay in reaching a medical facility; or a delay in receiving good quality care.

Worldwide, 13 developing countries accounted for 70% of all maternal deaths. The highest number occurred in India where 136,000 women died, followed by Nigeria where there were 37,000 deaths.

The agencies' experience from successful maternal health programmes shows that much of this death and suffering could be avoided if all women had the assistance of a skilled health worker during pregnancy and delivery, and access to emergency medical care when complications arise.

“Many women deliver their children alone or with family members or other untrained attendants who lack the skills to deal with complications during delivery,” said Dr Lee Jong-wook, Director-General of the World Health Organization.

“Skilled attendants are vital because they can recognise and prevent medical crises and provide or refer for life-saving care when complications arise. They also provide mothers with basic information about care for themselves and their children before and after giving birth.”

(gmcg)