Skip to main content

Progress and Challenges in Making Pregnancy Safer: A Global Perspective

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Maternal and Child Health

Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter and answering the discussion questions that follow, you should be able to

  • Discuss global trends and distribution of maternal and infant mortality.

  • Identify the impact of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis on maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

  • Appraise the challenges of ensuring equitable and sustainable reduction in adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes.

  • Analyze strategies and techniques for improving of current maternal and child survival programs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • AbouZahr C (2003) Global burden of maternal death and disability. In: Rodeck C, ed. Reducing Maternal Death and Disability in Pregnancy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed Y, Mwaba P, Chintu C et al. (1999) A study of maternal mortality at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia: the emergence of tuberculosis as a major non-obstetric cause of maternal death. The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 3(8), 675–680

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aliyu MH, Salihu HM, Keith LG et al. (2005a) Extreme parity and the risk of stillbirth. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 106(1), 446–453

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aliyu MH, Salihu HM, Keith LG et al. (2005b) Hyper-fertility and fetal morbidity outcomes trends in birth to fertile mothers by race/ethnicity and maternal age in the United States. Journal of the National Medical Association, 97(6), 799–804

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • American Academy of Pediatrics (2007) Guidelines for Perinatal Care (6th Edition). Washington, DC: American Academy of Pediatrics/American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). http://www.acog.org/bookstore/Guidelines_for_Perinatal_Care_Sixth_Edition_P262.cfm, cited 27 August 2008

  • Bartlett LA, Mawji S, Whitehead S et al. (2005) Where giving birth is a forecast of death: maternal mortality in four districts of Afghanistan, 1999–2002. Lancet, 365(9462), 864–870

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro Statistical Office (2004) Statistical pocket book 2004

    Google Scholar 

  • Brabin BJ, Hakimi M, Pelletier D (2001) An Analysis of Anemia and Pregnancy-Related Maternal Mortality. American Society for Nutritional Sciences, 131, 604–615

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown CA, Sohani SB, Khan K et al. (2008) Antenatal care and perinatal outcomes in Kwale district, Kenya. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 10(8), 2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro R, Campero L, Hernandez B et al. (2000) A study on maternal mortality in Mexico through a qualitative approach. Journal of Women’s Health and Gender-based Medicine, 9(6), 679–690

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2007) NCHS Definitions. Atlanta, Georgia: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/datawh/nchsdefs/rates.htm#maternal, cited 8 August 2008

  • Christian P, West KP, Khatry SK et al. (2000) Night Blindness During Pregnancy and Subsequent Mortality among Women in Nepal: Effects of Vitamin A and ß-Carotene Supplementation. American Journal of Epidemiology, 152(6), 542–547

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Danel I (1998) Maternal Mortality Reduction, Honduras, 1990–1997: A Case-Study. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://wbln0018.worldbank.org/LAC/lacinfoclient.nsf/6f1c77f445edaa6585256746007718fe/2f153269dab5f9838525685c006b532b/$FILE/WBCASE5.pdf, cited 8 August 2008

  • Dhakal S, Chapman GN, Simkhada PP et al. (2007) Utilisation of postnatal care among rural women in Nepal. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, Sep. 3, 7, 19

    Google Scholar 

  • Dovlo D (2003) The brain drain and retention of health professionals in Africa. A case study. Paper presented at: Regional Training Conference on Improving Tertiary Education in Sub-Saharan Africa: the things that work! Accra, 23–25. http://www.medact.org/content/health/documents/brain_drain/Dovlo%20-%20brain%20drain%20and%20retention.pdf, cited 8 August 2008

  • Ehiri JE, Oyo-Ita AE, Anyanwu EC et al. (2005) Quality of child health services in primary healthcare facilities in Calabar, Southeastern Nigeria. Child Care: Health and Development, 31(2), 181–191

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Falkingham J (2003) Inequality and changes in women’s use of maternal healthcare services in Tajikistan. Studies in Family Planning, 34, 32–43

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fortney JA (2001) Emergency obstetric care: the keystone in the arch of safe motherhood. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 74, 95–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goyaux N, Alihonou E, Diadhiou F et al. (2001) Complications of induced abortion and miscarriage in three African countries: a hospital-based study among WHO collaborating centers. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 80, 568–573

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Granja AC, Machungo F, Gomes A et al. (1998) Malaria-related maternal mortality in urban Mozambique. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, 92(3), 257–263

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Islam M (2007) The safe motherhood initiative and beyond. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 85(10), 733–820

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jewkes RK, Fawcus S, Rees H et al. (1997) Methodological Issues in the South African Incomplete Abortion Study. Studies in Family Planning, 28(3), 228–234

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson BR, Ndhlovu S, Farr SL et al. (2002) Reducing Unplanned Pregnancy and Abortion in Zimbabwe through Postabortion Contraception. Studies in Family Planning, 33(2), 195–202

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Katz J, West KP Jr, Khatry SK et al. (2003) Risk factors for early infant mortality in Sarlahi district, Nepal. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 81, 717–725

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khan KS, Wojdyla D, Say L (2006) WHO analysis of causes of maternal death: a systematic review. Lancet, 367, 1066–1074

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Koblinsky MA (2003) Reducing Maternal Mortality: Learning from Bolivia, China, Egypt, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, and Zimbabwe. Washington, DC: World Bank. http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=7I9-NjYv-YkC&dq=Koblinsky++Reducing+Maternal+Mortality&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=M5Sc8mXnf9&sig=RQemDreh1tp9RmpQoDqBW7bYkWQ#PPP1,M1, cited 8 August 2008

  • Kusiako T, Ronsmans C, van der Paal L (2000) Perinatal mortality attributable to complications of childbirth in Matlab, Bangladesh. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 78, 621–627

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lawn J, Zupan J, Knippenberg R (2005) Newborn survival. In Jamison, D. et al. (2nd eds.), Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries. New York: Oxford University Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Loudon I (1992) Death in childbirth: an international study of maternal care and maternal mortality, 1800–1950. Oxford: Clarendon Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Masuy-Stroobant G (1997) Infant health and child mortality in Europe: lessons from the past and challenges for the future. In: Corsini C, Viazzo PP, eds. The Decline of Infant and Child Mortality: The European Experience 1750–1990. The Hague: Kluwer Law International/Martinus Nijhoff

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy J, Maine D (1992) A framework for analyzing the determinants of maternal mortality. Studies in Family Planning, 23(1), 23–33

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2003) Clinical guideline # CG62. Antenatal care: routine care for the healthy pregnancy woman. National Collaborating Center for Women’s and Children’s Health. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and UK National Health Services (NHS). http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG62FullGuidelineCorrectedJune2008.pdf, cited 26 August 8, 2009

  • Pathmanathan I, Liljestrand J, Martins JM et al. (2003) Investing in maternal health: learning from Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Washington, DC: World Bank

    Google Scholar 

  • Raatikainen,K, Heiskanen N, Heinonen S (2007) Under-attending free antenatal care is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. BMC Public Health, 7(147), 268

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rahman M, DaVanzo J, Razzaque A (2001) Do better family planning services reduce abortion in Bangladesh? Lancet, 358, 1051–1056

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ronsmans C, Campbell O (1998) Short Birth Intervals Don’t Kill Women: Evidence from Matlab, Bangladesh. Studies in Family Planning, 29(3), 282–290

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ronsmans C, Graham WJ (2006) Maternal mortality: who, where, when and why? Lancet, 368, 1189–1200

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sibley LM, Sipe TA, Koblinsky M (2004) Does traditional birth attendant training increase use of antenatal care? A review of the evidence. Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, 49(4), 298–305

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sloan FA, Conover CJ, Mah ML et al. (2002) Impact of medicaid managed care on utilization of obstetric care: evidence from TennCare's early years. Southern Medical Journal, 95(8), 811–821

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tawfik L, Kinoti SN (2001) The Impact of HIV/AIDS on the Health Sector in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Issue of Human Resources. Washington, DC: United States Agency for International Development, Bureau for Africa, Office of Sustainable Development, SARA Project. http://www.vitalneeds.com/documents/AIDS-Africa-Health-Care-Personnel/2001%20HIVAIDS%20Impact%20on%20Health%20Sector%20in%20Sub%20Saharan%20Africa%20II.pdf, cited 8 August 2008

  • Ticconi C, Mapfumo M, Dorrucci M et al. (2003) Effect of maternal HIV and malaria infection on pregnancy and perinatal outcome in Zimbabwe. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 34, 289–294

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tinker A, Ransom E (2002) Healthy mothers and healthy newborns: the vital link. Washington, DC: Save the Children/Population Reference Bureau

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) (1998) Situation analysis of children and women in Iraq. New York: UNICEF

    Google Scholar 

  • United States Agency for International Development (USAID) (2003) The health sector human resources crisis in Africa: an issue paper. Washington, DC: United States Agency for International Development, Bureau for Africa, Office of Sustainable Development, SARA Project. http://www.hrhresourcecenter.org/node/33, cited 8 August 2008

  • Van Egmond K, Bosmans M, Naeem AJ et al. (2004) Reproductive Health in Afghanistan: Results of a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey among Afghan Women in Kabul. Disasters, 28(3), 269–282

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Lerberghe W, De Brouwere V (2001) Of blind alleys and things that have worked: history’s lessons on reducing maternal mortality. In: De Brouwere V and Van Lerberghe W, eds. Safe Motherhood Strategies: A Review of the Evidence. Antwerp, ITG Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Villar J, Ba'aqeel H, Piaggio G et al. (2001) WHO antenatal care randomised trial for the evaluation of a new model of routine antenatal care. Lancet, 357, 1551–1564

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Villar J, Merialdi M, Gulmezoglu AM et al. (2003) Nutritional interventions during pregnancy for the prevention or treatment of maternal morbidity and preterm delivery: An overview of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Nutrition, 133, 1606–1625

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (WHO) (1994) Antenatal Care. Report of a Technical Working Group, 1994 – WHO/FRH/MSM/968 1994. Geneva: World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/MSM_96_8/index.html, cited 8 August 2008

  • World Health Organization (WHO) (2003) Antenatal Care in Developing Countries: Promises, Achievement, and Missed Opportunities. http://www.childinfo.org/files/antenatal_care.pdf, cited 8 August 2008

  • World Health Organization (WHO) (2004) Maternal Mortality in 2000: Estimates Developed by WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA. Geneva, World Health Organization. http://www.reliefweb.int/library/documents/2003/who-saf-22oct.pdf, cited 8 August 2008

  • World Health Organization (WHO) (2005) World Health Report 2005: Make Every Mother and Child Count. http://www.who.int/whr/2005/whr2005_en.pdf, cited 8 August 2008

  • World Health Organization (WHO) (2007) Skilled Attendants at Birth: 2007 updates. http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/global_monitoring/skilled_attendant.html#results, cited 8 August 2008

  • World Health Organization (WHO) (2008) The World Health Report: Progress and Some Reversals. http://www.who.int/whr/2005/chapter5/en/index2.html, cited 8 August 2008

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Islam, M. (2009). Progress and Challenges in Making Pregnancy Safer: A Global Perspective. In: Ehiri, J. (eds) Maternal and Child Health. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/b106524_22

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/b106524_22

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-89244-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-89245-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics