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Joining the dots: a plea for precise estimates of the maternal mortality ratio in sub‐Saharan Africa
Author(s) -
Munjanja SP
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2009.02337.x
Subject(s) - standardized mortality ratio , plea , geography , maternal mortality rate , developing country , population , mortality rate , demography , economic growth , political science , health services , economics , sociology , law
Monitoring of maternal mortality levels in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) to assess the achievements of safe motherhood programmes and for MDG‐5 has been made difficult because of the lack of precise estimates of the maternal mortality ratio (MMR). Projections based on the slow rate of decline of the MMR indicate that MDG‐5 may not be reached before the end of this century in this region. Measurements done using demographical and health surveys, statistical modelling and censuses are imprecise and do not allow trends in individual countries to be established. SSA countries should be encouraged to measure mortality levels from their own resources, using methods that produce precise estimates such as population‐based surveys. Establishment of the trends will lead to country‐specific program targets. The less frequent but more precise measurements can be afforded by SSA countries, as a case study from Zimbabwe shows.