A look back at the millenium development goal of reducing #maternal mortality - studies from 2004 and 2009 - African Population Studies Vol.19 No.12 & Journal of Postgraduate Medicine Vol.55 No.1

The Guardian recently published an article on a new report compiled by a number of health organizations such as WaterAID and WHO that calls for action on water sanitation and hygiene care that could greatly reduce maternal deaths in Africa. The article notes that goal number 5 of the United Nation's millenium goals between 1990 and 2015 was to reduce the maternal mortality ratio. The Guardian notes that although rates have been improving in some countries, low-income and middle-income countries have yet to succeed in reaching this goal. The Guardian notes that among these countries are Tanzania and South Sudan.

Several articles on Bioline have discussed this issue in relation to different countries. Among them is an article from ten years ago in African Population Studies vol.19 no.12 named: "Maternal and Child Health among the Urban Poor in Nairobi, Kenya" by Monica Magadi. This study takes a look at the health care provided to infants and their mothers in the slums of Nairobi, and Kenya. Magadi notes that although it is important to consider the care and quality of services provided to the infants and their mothers, their overall health prior is equally as important. Unfortunately, many of these deaths occur as a direct result of diseases and malnutrition from lack of services and necessities such as food, shelter, health care, nutrition and water sanitation. Diarrhea is also prevalent in Nairobi, especially for people living in slums. Only 53 per cent of slum residents have access to safe drinking water. In the three major slums in Nairobi, it was reported that most water does not go directly to their houses but instead is purchased from informal traders or taken from communal water points. These conditions make for poor health of both the children and their mothers, and Magadi notes that they require urgent attention.

Another article, "An autopsy study of maternal mortality: A tertiary healthcare perspective" by Panchabhai et al. in the Journal of Postgraduate Medicine vol.55 no.1, discusses this millenium goal in relation to India. Panchabhai et al. note that many maternal deaths in India are attributable to sepsis, infection and hemorrhage. This study evaluates the maternal deaths that occurred between January 1998 to December 2006. Tuberculosis, malaria and meningitis were amongst the cases of deaths.

These articles highlight the need for action to be taken in preventing more maternal deaths, particularly in developing countries.

You can find more articles on Bioline on maternal mortality here.

Ninety-five per cent of women in Hatcliffe, Zimbabwe have faced gender-based violence - African Journal of Reproductive Health Vol.18 No.1 #WHO

On November 21, 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a story on the worldwide need to address violence against females, both young and old.

The African Journal of Reproductive Health, in particular, has several articles addressing physical and sexual abuse against women and girls, as well as issues on child brides and spousal abuse. A recent article in vol.18 no.1 called "Gender Based Violence and its Effects on Women’s Reproductive Health: The Case of Hatcliffe, Harare, Zimbabwe" by Mukanangana et al. explores how violence against women can affect their reproductive health. According to Mukanagana et al. in their article, gender-based violence (GBV) is caused by existing traditional power norms and ways of thinking towards women that can prove to be detrimental to a woman's health. 

WHO says that one in three women globally will experience sexual violence by partners and non-partners in their lifetime. Yet, how will GBV affect women's health? Mukanagana et al. aim to uncover this by conducting a study in Zimbabwe. Women from Hatcliffe in Harare Province in Zimbabwe, between the ages of 15 and 49 were included in the study. This is because of their reproductive age and their vulnerability at this age to GBV. Both qualitative and quantitative research was conducted with group discussions and surveys.

The results indicated that 95 per cent of women in Hatcliffe have faced physical abuse in their lifetime. 66 per cent of abused women were between the ages of 25 and 39 years old. 47 per cent of women who were physically abused were married. Results also indicated that education level was related to the vulnerability of physical abuse. 77 per cent of women who were physically abused had primary education, while 20 per cent of abused women had secondary education, and three per cent of abused women had higher education levels. The study also provides qualitative interviews and statements from participant and "Victim Friendly" officers.

Mukanagana et al. conclude that GBV is prevalent in Hatcliffe, however there is minimal reporting of these cases and victims are silenced due to economic, cultural and religious factors, as well as factors related to current policies. Counselling and education, as well as information provided to both men and women about gender-based violence could help break this culture of silence. The introduction and implementation of policies are needed in order to protect women and their reproductive health from gender-based violence.