The Safe Motherhood Initiative: why has it stalled?

Complications of pregnancy and childbirth are still the leading cause of death and disability among women of reproductive age in developing countries. After decades of neglect, the founding of the Safe Motherhood Initiative in 1987 promised action on this problem. A dozen years later, there is no ev...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of public health (1971) 1999-04, Vol.89 (4), p.480-482
Main Authors: Maine, D, Rosenfield, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abortion
Births
Developing Countries
Emergencies
Family planning
Female
Global Health
Health care
Humans
Infections
Initiatives
LDCs
Maternal & child health
Maternal Health Services - standards
Maternal mortality
Maternal Mortality - trends
Maternal Welfare - legislation & jurisprudence
Maternal Welfare - trends
Medical disorders
Medical technology
Nutrition
Obstetrics
Pregnancy
Prenatal care
Progress
Public health
Quality Assurance, Health Care - organization & administration
Risk factors
Safe motherhood
Womens health
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Summary:Complications of pregnancy and childbirth are still the leading cause of death and disability among women of reproductive age in developing countries. After decades of neglect, the founding of the Safe Motherhood Initiative in 1987 promised action on this problem. A dozen years later, there is no evidence that maternal mortality has declined and there are still few sizeable programs. A major reason for this disappointing record is that the initiative lacks a clear, concise, feasible strategy. This article reviews the available options and proposes a strategy based on improving the availability and quality of medical treatment of obstetric complications. Once district hospitals and health centers provide such needed care, community mobilization to improve prove utilization may be beneficial. Substantial reductions in maternal deaths would be possible in a relatively short period of time if this strategy were embraced.
ISSN:0090-0036
1541-0048
DOI:10.2105/AJPH.89.4.480