The Importance of Family Planning in Reducing Maternal Mortality

While many expect that widespread acceptance of family planning services in developing nations will bring down levels of maternal mortality, some analyses have claimed disappointing reductions. The primary reason for this discrepancy lies in the choice of measure of maternal mortality, compounded by...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Studies in family planning 1987-03, Vol.18 (2), p.109-114
Main Author: Fortney, Judith A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age specific mortality rates
Bangladesh
Commentary
Death
Demographics
Developing Countries
Family planning
Family Planning Services
Female
Fertility rates
Gender equality
Humans
Life tables
Maternal Mortality
Maternal mortality rates
Mortality
Obstetrics
Parity
Population
Ratios
Risk
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Summary:While many expect that widespread acceptance of family planning services in developing nations will bring down levels of maternal mortality, some analyses have claimed disappointing reductions. The primary reason for this discrepancy lies in the choice of measure of maternal mortality, compounded by confusion in terminology. Maternal mortality can be measured by the number of maternal deaths, the maternal mortality ratio, the maternal mortality rate, or the lifetime risk of death in childbirth. The choice of measure should be determined by the issue being addressed, and which of the two determinants of maternal mortality, obstetric risk or prevalence of pregnancy, is the focus. The probable contribution of family planning to lower maternal mortality and morbidity should not be underestimated.
ISSN:0039-3665
1728-4465
DOI:10.2307/1966702