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.

Clinical practices could affect immunisation delay of infants - Tanzania Journal of Health Research Vol.15 No.3

Source: Pete Lewis/Department of International Development

Today we are featuring Tanzania Journal of Health Research Vol.15 No.3 on the blog.

This issue includes "High prevalence of tuberculosis diagnosed during autopsy examination at Muhimbili National hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania" by Kilale et, which examines the failures of diagnosing TB, leading to premature death and unrecognized transmission of TB. The aim of the study was to obtain quantitative data on TB cases identified during the autopsy and retrieve missed TB cases that were not previously reported in Tanzania. The study was conducted at the Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Records were obtained for each patient included demographic information, past medical history, chest-xray reports, clinical diagnoses and causes of death, among others. Lung tissues, lymphnodes and blood clots for HIV testing were also collected. Tissues were examined by microscopy and processed through Ziehl Nielsen staining. Among the 74 patients, 56 were males. The results also indicated that 34 patients received a TB diagnosis before death.

Immunisation of infants is extremely important to prevent infant mortality and spread of preventable diseases. "Factors contributing to delay in commencement of immunisation in Nigerian infants" by Sadoh et al. discusses this topic in-depth. The study examines the factors that prevent or delay immunisation in Benin City, Nigeria. 153 mothers bringing their infants for their first immunisation to the Institute of Child Health Child Welfare clinic at the University of Benin in Benin City were asked questions for the study. Times for bringing in their infants varied between mothers. Only two mothers had their infants immunised within 24 hours of birth, with 66 mothers had their infants immunised at a week old or younger. Among the reasons for not having their infants immunised within 24 hours was that Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine for tuberculosis was only administered on a specific day. There were also mothers who were not knowledgeable of when infants should be immunised. The results indicated that mothers from a low socio-economic class and mothers with less than 12 years of schooling were less likely to have their infants immunized at a week old or younger. The study suggests that clinics change their practices to allow for daily immunisation, as well as training of health care practitioners on the importance of immunisation as soon as possible.

These articles and other articles from this issue can be found here.