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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
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    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.
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    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.

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