IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i20p13146-d940565.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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

Author

Listed:
  • Luc Onambele

    (School of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Central Africa, Yaoundé 1110, Cameroon)

  • Wilfrido Ortega-Leon

    (Epidemiology and Public Health Program, Department of Surgery, Medical and Social Sciences, University of Alcala de Henares, 28801 Madrid, Spain)

  • Sara Guillen-Aguinaga

    (Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
    San Juan Health Center, Primary Health Care, Navarra Health Service, 31006 Pamplona, Spain)

  • Maria João Forjaz

    (National Epidemiology Centre, Carlos III Health Institute, 28029 Madrid, Spain
    REDISSEC and REDIAPP, 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Amanuel Yoseph

    (Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
    School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa P.O. Box 5, Ethiopia)

  • Laura Guillen-Aguinaga

    (Department of Nursing, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain)

  • Rosa Alas-Brun

    (Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain)

  • Alberto Arnedo-Pena

    (Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
    Epidemiology Division, Public Health Center, 12003 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
    Public Health and Epidemiology (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Ines Aguinaga-Ontoso

    (Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
    Department of Preventive Medicine, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
    Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Avda. de Baranain sn, 31008 Pamplona, Spain)

  • Francisco Guillen-Grima

    (Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
    Department of Preventive Medicine, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
    Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
    Center for Biomedical Research Network, Physiopathology of Obesity and CIBER-OBN, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Luc Onambele & Wilfrido Ortega-Leon & Sara Guillen-Aguinaga & Maria João Forjaz & Amanuel Yoseph & Laura Guillen-Aguinaga & Rosa Alas-Brun & Alberto Arnedo-Pena & Ines Aguinaga-Ontoso & Francisco Guil, 2022. "Maternal Mortality in Africa: Regional Trends (2000–2017)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13146-:d:940565
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/20/13146/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/20/13146/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Henrik Urdal & Chi Primus Che, 2013. "War and Gender Inequalities in Health: The Impact of Armed Conflict on Fertility and Maternal Mortality," International Interactions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(4), pages 489-510, September.
    2. Wonjeong Jeong & Sung-In Jang & Eun-Cheol Park & Jin Young Nam, 2020. "The Effect of Socioeconomic Status on All-Cause Maternal Mortality: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-13, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Augustine Lambonmung & Charity Asantewaa Acheampong & Uma Langkulsen, 2022. "The Effects of Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of Adolescent Pregnancy in Ghana, Liberia, and Nigeria," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-14, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Manasvi Sharma, 2024. "Ethnic fertility and exposure to armed conflict: the case of Sri Lanka," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 1317-1351, December.
    2. Bove, Vincenzo & Di Salvatore, Jessica & Elia, Leandro & Nisticò, Roberto, 2024. "Mothers at peace: International peacebuilding and post-conflict fertility," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    3. Apsara Karki Nepal & Martin Halla & Steven Stillman, 2018. "Violent Conflict and the Child Quantity-Quality Tradeoff," Economics working papers 2018-15, Department of Economics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria.
    4. Parlow, Anton, 2016. "Birth and Fertility during War: Afghanistan from 2007 to 2010," MPRA Paper 76366, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Philip Verwimp & Davide Osti & Gudrun Østby, 2020. "Forced Displacement, Migration, and Fertility in Burundi," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 46(2), pages 287-319, June.
    6. Michelle L. O’Brien, 2021. "The Consequences of the Tajikistani Civil War for Abortion and Miscarriage," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 40(5), pages 1061-1084, October.
    7. Kati Kraehnert & Tilman Brück & Michele Di Maio & Roberto Nisticò, 2019. "The Effects of Conflict on Fertility: Evidence From the Genocide in Rwanda," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 56(3), pages 935-968, June.
    8. Kirschner, Shanna A. & Finaret, Amelia B., 2021. "Conflict and health: Building on the role of infrastructure," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    9. Prem, M & Guerra, M. E. & Rodríguez, P & Vargas, J. F., 2020. "The Peace Baby Boom: Evidence from Colombia’s peace agreement with the FARC," Documentos de Trabajo 18430, Universidad del Rosario.
    10. Mai Wardeh & Rui Cunha Marques, 2021. "Sustainability in Refugee Camps: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-24, July.
    11. Krieger, Tim & Renner, Laura, 2020. "Polygyny, inequality, and social unrest," Discussion Paper Series 2020-02, University of Freiburg, Wilfried Guth Endowed Chair for Constitutional Political Economy and Competition Policy.
    12. Ingrid Vik Bakken & Halvard Buhaug, 2021. "Civil War and Female Empowerment," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 65(5), pages 982-1009, May.
    13. Andrés Felipe Castro Torres & B. Piedad Urdinola, 2019. "Armed Conflict and Fertility in Colombia, 2000–2010," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 38(2), pages 173-213, April.
    14. Tatsuki Inoue amd Erika Igarashi, 2023. "The far-reaching effects of bombing on fertility in mid-20th century Japan," Papers 2306.05770, arXiv.org, revised Oct 2023.
    15. M. Shafi Bhat & Amir Ali Khan & Mohmad Akbar & Sumira Mir, 2023. "Disaster-development interface and its impact on emerging vulnerability scenario in Ladakh region of northwestern Himalayas," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 13(2), pages 253-270, June.
    16. Gudrun Østby & Henrik Urdal & Andreas Forø Tollefsen & Andreas Kotsadam & Ragnhild Belbo & Christin Ormhaug, 2018. "Organized Violence and Institutional Child Delivery: Micro-Level Evidence From Sub-Saharan Africa, 1989–2014," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 55(4), pages 1295-1316, August.
    17. Muhammad Badiuzzaman & Syed Mansoob Murshed, 2016. "Impact of post-conflict development interventions on maternal healthcare utilization," WIDER Working Paper Series 082, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    18. Orsola Torrisi, 2020. "Armed Conflict and the Timing of Childbearing in Azerbaijan," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 46(3), pages 501-556, September.
    19. Ngepah, Nicholas & Saba, Charles Shaaba & Tinga, Cleide L.M., 2024. "Gender Inequality and Economic Growth in Developing Countries," Economia Internazionale / International Economics, Camera di Commercio Industria Artigianato Agricoltura di Genova, vol. 77(3), pages 371-416.
    20. Svallfors, Signe & Båge, Karin & Ekström, Anna Mia & Elimian, Kelly & Gayawan, Ezra & Litorp, Helena & Kågesten, Anna, 2024. "Armed conflict, insecurity, and attitudes toward women's and girls' reproductive autonomy in Nigeria," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13146-:d:940565. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.