Epidemiology of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality in Malawi Dr. Chisale Mhango FRCOG 1 NPC Training in MNH.

Epidemiology of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality in Malawi

Dr. Chisale Mhango FRCOG

1NPC Training in MNH

MATERNAL MORTALITY IN LOW RESOURCE COUNTRIES: How to accelerated reduction

Objectives:• Understand the issues relating to

MMR

• Review Global and Local Progress on Reduction of MMR– Key article from The Lancet

• Discuss effective strategies

Outline of presentation

1. Definitions of terms2. Global and Local Trends in MMR and NNM3. Causes of maternal and neonatal mortality4. Current data on place of delivery in

Malawi5. Coverage for Skilled Birth Attendants in

Malawi6. Rationale for new roles for TBAs

3NPC Training in MNH

DefinitionsStatistical measurements..

Maternal Mortality Ratio

Number of maternal deaths during a given period per 100,000 live births during the same time-period

Maternal Mortality Rate

Number of maternal deaths in a given period per 100,000 women of reproductive age during the same time-period

Adult life time risk of maternal death

The probability of dying from a maternal cause during a woman’s reproductive lifespan.

Alternative definition of MD in ICD-10 (1992)

Pregnancy-related death

The death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration or the site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes.

Late maternal death The death of a woman from direct or indirect obstetric causes, more than 42 days but less than one year after termination of pregnancy.

4

Definitions cont…

Neonatal mortality The probability of dying within the first month of life

Infant mortality The probability of dying before the first birthday

Post-neonatal mortality

The difference between infant and neonatal mortality

Under-5 mortality The probability of dying between birth and the fifth birthday

Child mortality The probability of dying between the first and fifth birthday

Neonatal mortalityrate

Number of deaths within 28 days of life per 1,000 live births

Early neonatal mortality rate

Number of deaths within 7 days of life per 1,000 live births

Infant mortality rate Number of deaths within the first 12 months of life per 1,000 live births

Under-5 mortality rate Number of deaths within the first five years of life per 1,000 live births

Child mortality rate Number of deaths within the first five years of life per 1,000 children surviving to 12 months of age.

5

Definitions and Statistical measurements..

Methods of defining Maternal Mortality

Millennium Development Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health

Target 5.A:Reduce by 3/4, between

1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio

Indicators:Maternal mortality ratioProportion of births

attended by skilled health personnel

Target 5.B:Achieve, by 2015, universal

access to reproductive health

Indicators:Contraceptive prevalence

rateAdolescent birth rateAntenatal care coverageUnmet need for family

planning

Millennium Development Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality

Target 4:Reduce by 2/3, between 1990 and 2015, the child mortality rate

Indicators:Under-five mortality rateInfant mortality rateProportion of 1 year-old children immunized against

measles

8

The Lancet ArticleMaternal mortality for 181 countries, 1980–2008:a systematic analysis of progress towards Millennium Development Goal 5

Margaret C Hogan, Kyle J Foreman, Mohsen Naghavi, Stephanie Y Ahn, Mengru Wang, Susanna M Makela, Alan D Lopez, Rafael Lozano, Christopher J L Murray

Volume 375 May 8, 2010, pp. 1609-1623.

Map of Priority Countries

Global SituationGlobal Situation• 180-210 million pregnancies annually

• 80 million unwanted pregnancies

• 50 million induced abortions

• 20 million unsafe abortions

• 68,000 deaths from unsafe abortion

• 20 million women suffer from maternal morbidity

• Estimated 350,000 to 450,000 maternal deaths

• 3million babies are born dead

• Almost 10 million children under age of 5 die

• Of which 3 million newborns die within the first week

• 500,000 infants are infected with HIV

Every Single minute……380 women become pregnant…190 women face an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy…110 women experience pregnancy-related complications …40 women have an unsafe abortion

…1 woman dies

MM WHO estimates

MM WHO… Estimates

Maternal Mortality: The latest data

• For the first time, new data indicate that we are seeing real progress in reducing maternal mortality worldwide.

• A new study published in The Lancet in May 2010 revealed that the number of women dying from pregnancy-related causes has declined from 526,300 in 1980 to 342,900 in 2008.

• The finding contradict previous research which showed very little change in reducing maternal mortality, and represent a powerful opportunity to show that investments to reduce maternal mortality actually work.

“These numbers should now act as a catalyst, not a brake, for accelerated action on MDG-5, including scaled-up resource

commitments. Investment incontrovertibly saves the lives of women during pregnancy.” Richard Horton

Source: Hogan MC et al. Maternal mortality for 181 countries, 1980-2008: a systematic analysis of progress towards Millennium Development Goal 5. The Lancet 2010: published online April 12. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60518-1.

Current Situation

6 Countries Account for 50%

of Maternal Mortality

- India - Afghanistan

- Nigeria - Ethiopia

- Pakistan - Democratic Republic of the Congo

Countdown to 2015

18NPC Training in MNH

Trends in Maternal Mortality in Malawi: UN Estimates with extrapolation to 2015

19NPC Training in MNH

Trends in Under-5 Mortality Rate (top line) and Infant Mortality Rate (lower line) in Malawi

20

Neonatal Mortality Rate in Malawi

21NPC Training in MNH

Causes of Maternal Mortality

Main direct causes of maternal deaths in Malawi

1. Haemorrhage after childbirth (27%)2. Sepsis after childbirth (23%)3. Hypertension of Pregnancy (17%)4. Complications of unsafe abortion (16%)

ALL THESE CONDITIONS ARE COMMONEST WITH CHILDBIRTH OR ABORTION OUTSIDE HEALTH

FACILITIES

23

NPC Training in MNHSource: MDHS2010

Main causes of neonatal deaths

1. Birth asphyxia– lack of resuscitation skills at birth

2. Low birth weight–Prematurity leading to

• Cold injury• RDS

–HIV 3. Severe infections

–Home births 24NPC Training in MNH

Time of Death

Key strategies to reduce maternal mortality

What factors are driving maternal mortality in Malawi?

Not only medical issues, but also a social, economic, political and human rights issues•Poverty

– No food security

•Low female literacy rates– Cultural factors

•High fertility rate

•Poor functioning health infrastructure– Contraceptive services

– Insufficient focus on quality of care – Inadequate number of skilled health workers.– Physical infrastructure– Basic tools of the trade

• Slow adoption of evidence based policy

“I am going to fetch a baby. The journey is dangerous and I may not return …”

Maternal Mortality: The Link to Family Planning

• The Lancet study data indicate that the global decline in fertility is a key contributing factor to the decline in maternal mortality.

• Societies in which the total fertility rate has decreased are also those in which maternal mortality has decreased.

Global decline in total fertility rate (TFR)

I__________________I_________________I

1980 1990 2008

3.70 3.26 2.56

29

Skilled attendance at birth saves mothers and babies

WHOApril 2005

Skilled attendance at childbirth is the most effective intervention

Access to skilled birth attendants

About 35 % of pregnant women in developing countries have no access to, or contact with, health personnel before delivery, and only 57 % give birth with a skilled attendant present.

Access to emergency obstetric care

42 % of all pregnancies everywhere experience a complication.

In 15 % of all pregnancies, the complications are life-threatening.

61 % of maternal deaths occur just before, during, or just after

delivery, often from complications that cannot be predicted and are difficult to prevent

Therefore… it is critical that every woman have access to emergency obstetric care

Why Women Do Not Access Health Services?

Distance from health servicesLack of transportationCostMultiple demands on women’s timeLack of decision-making power within the familyAttitude of health care providersLimited access to educationInadequate health care servicesDiscriminatory or inadequate laws or

health care policiesCultureCommunity

Reasons for decrease of maternal mortality

• Global decrease in Total Fertility Rate (TFR)• Increase of income in low-income countries• Increase in maternal education• Increase in skilled birth attendants from approximately

25% to 45–55%

Cause of Death % of Deaths Known Successful Interventions

Haemorrhage 24-35% of maternal deaths

- Oxytocin and Misoprostol are medications that can prevent or stop bleeding during and immediately following delivery. - Controlled cord traction and uterine massage are known techniques to stop postpartum bleeding.- Skilled attendants are necessary to administer medication or perform techniques.

Unsafe Abortion 9-13% of maternal deaths

- Family planning information and access to contraception and reproductive health supplies are needed to prevent unintended and unplanned pregnancies. - Where legal, effective reproductive services include the availability of safe abortions conducted by trained healthcare providers using proper techniques under sanitary conditions.- Post-abortion care including emergency treatment for complications from spontaneous or induced abortion, follow-up and referral to other reproductive health services.

Infections (e.g. Sepsis, pneumonia, tetnus)

8-15% of maternal deaths, 29-36% of newborn deaths, 46% of child deaths

- Antibiotics and immunizations are critical to treat infections in women and children.- Hygienic delivery and postpartum care in a health facility can prevent infections in mothers and newborns.- Treatment by a skilled health care provider near children’s homes.

Eclampsia & Hypertensive Disorders

12% of maternal deaths

- Magnesium Sulphate can be administered by skilled attendants as an effective, safe and inexpensive medication that reduces the risk of eclampsia and maternal death caused by pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders.

1. What Interventions Work?

Cause of Death % of Death Known Successful Interventions

Obstructed Labour

8% of maternal deaths

- Caesarean section by trained, skilled attendants can perform this surgical procedure to ensure safe childbirth when obstructed labour or other complications make vaginal birth impossible or unsafe for the mother and baby.- Access to proper nutrition can help prevent obstructed labour by ensuring proper growth and development in women.

Asphyxia 23% of newborn deaths

- Increasing maternal nutrition reduces the likelihood of low birth weight, a significant factor in causing birth asphyxia.- Presence of a skilled attendant to provide immediate care after delivery.

Diarrhoea 24% of child deaths, 2.4% of newborn deaths

- Treatment by a skilled health.- Oral rehydration therapy using oral rehydration salts, home fluid and food intake guidelines.- Increased sanitation and access to clean water.

Malaria and HIV/AIDS

15% of child deaths19% of women’s deaths (AIDS)

- Treatment by a skilled health care provider.- Use of insecticide-treated nets and region-specific antimalarial medicines.- Preventing Maternal to Child Transmission (PMTCT) counseling and ARVs-Treatment with ARVs for women

Nutrition-related disorders

35% of child deaths

- Access to proper, age appropriate nutrition sources.- Encouraging breastfeeding from 1-hr after birth through 6 months of age.- Vitamin A supplements.

2. What Interventions Work?

3. What Interventions Work? childbirth

– - Antenatal care– - Skilled attendance at birth, including

emergency obstetric and neonatal care– - Immediate postnatal care for mothers

and newborns

Access to family planning– - Counseling– - Services– - Modern contraception

Access to safe abortion (when legal)

37

Access to quality care for pregnancy and childbirth

- Antenatal care- Skilled attendance at birth, including emergency obstetric and neonatal care- Immediate postnatal care for mothers and newborns

Access to family planning- Counseling- Services- Modern contraception

Access to safe abortion (when legal)

Strong health systems– - Scaling-up critical health

interventions– - Training health care

professionals– - Training of mid-wives

Accelerated access to life-saving, interventions, medicines and vaccines

– - Vaccines to target pneumonia, tetanus, and diarrhea

– - Prevention, screening and treatment of HIV and STIs

– - Treatment and prevention of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea

COVERAGE FAILURES ACROSS THE CONTINUUM OF CARE GLOBALLY

Coverage estimates for interventions across the continuum of care in the 68 priority countries (2000-2006). Vertical bars indicate the range in coverage across countries.

For some interventions:•Family planning•Exclusive breastfeeding•Clinical care for newborn and child illnesses

In some countries:• Wide gaps in coverage across countries

Place of Delivery in Malawi

URBAN1. 84% in health facilities

a. 85% had skilled attendance at birth

2. For all Malawi 72% delivered in health facilities

3. 98% women with tertiary education had skilled attendance at childbirth compared to 63% women without education.

RURAL1. 71% in health facilities

a. 70% had skilled attendance at birth

2. For all Malawi, 73% women had skilled attendance at childbirth

39

NPC Training in MNH Source: MDHS 2010

Which women and newborns were dying the most in Malawi?

Mothers• Women who delivered or

procured abortion outside the health facilities, especially when they developed, PPH, PIH and sepsis– Women who developed these

complications while in health facility, had treatment initiated earlier and were less likely to die.

Neonates• Babies born without skilled

attendant present at birth.– Suffered the most from birth

asphyxia, cold injury and infection, especially if they were under weight or premature

40NPC Training in MNH

Rationale for Change of TBA roles

1. International WHO and local studies revealed that investment in TBAs did not contribute significantly to reduction of maternal and neonatal deaths

2. The option of TBA births prevented the scale up of skilled attendance at child births

– As soon as the TBA option was removed in Malawi, health facility births soared, distance of health facility had been overestimated

41NPC Training in MNH

Trends in Skilled Attendance at Birth in Malawi

42

NPC Training in MNH

There is no better time to reduce maternal and child death in Malawi - Commited leadership critical

References/reading • B-Lynch C, Keith LG, Lalonde AB, Karoshi M. A Textbook of Post Partum Hemorrhage: A comprehensive guide to evaluation, management and

surgical intervention. Sapiens Publishing, 2006. • Chowdhury ME, Botlero R, Koblinsky M, Saha SK, Dieltiens G, Ronsmans C. Determinants of reduction in maternal mortality in Matlab,

Bangladesh: a 30-year cohort study. Lancet 2007; 370: 1320–28.• Countdown Coverage Writing Group, on behalf of the Countdown to 2015 Core Group. Countdown to 2015 for maternal, newborn, and child

survival: the 2008 report on tracking coverage of interventions. Lancet 2008; 371: 1247–58• Deneux-Tharaux C, Berg C, Bouvier-Colle MH, et al. Underreporting of pregnancy-related mortality in the United States and Europe. Obstet

Gynecol 2005; 106: 684–92.• Fortney JA, Leong M. Saving Mother’s Lives: Programs that work. Clin Obstet Gynecol 2009; 52: 224.• Graham WJ, Ahmed S, Stanton C, Abou-Zahr CL, Campbell OM. Measuring maternal mortality: an overview of opportunities and options for

developing countries. BMC Med 2008; 6: 12.• Hogan MC, Foreman KJ, Naghavi M, Ahn SY, Wang M, Makela SM, Lopez AD, Lozano R,• Landagan OZ, Barrios EB. An estimation procedure for a spatial-temporal model. Stat Probab Lett 2007; 77: 401–06.• The Millennium Development Goals Report 2008. New York: United Nations, 2008.• Murray CJL, et al. Maternal mortality for 181 countries, 1980–2008: a systematic analysis of progress towards Millennium Development Goal 5.

Lancet 2010, 375: 1609-1623• Ronsmans C, Graham WJ, on behalf of The Lancet Maternal Survival Series steering group. Maternal mortality: who, when,where, and why.

Lancet 2006; 368: 1189–200.• WHO. International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems, tenth revision instruction manual (2 edn). Geneva: World

Health Organization, 2004.• WHO, PMNCH. Joint Action Plan for Women’s and Children’s health. Geneva: World Health Organization, Partnership for Maternal, Newborn

and Child Health, 2010 Draft. • WHO, UNICEF. Countdown to 2015 Decade Report (2000-2010): Taking stock of maternal, newborn and child survival. Geneva: World Health

Organization and UNICEF, 2010.• WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank. Maternal mortality in 2005: estimates developed by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and the World Bank. Geneva:

World Health Organization. 2007.• WHO. WHO Mortality Database. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2010. http://www.who.int/whosis/mort/download/en/index.html

(accessed March 23, 2010).

45