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Every death counts: measurement of maternal mortality via a census

Stanton, Cynthia, Hobcraft, John, Hill, Kenneth, Kodjjogbe, Nicaise, Mapeta, W. T., Munene, Francis, Naghavi, Moshen, Rabeza, Victor, Sisouphanthong, Bounthavy and Campbell, Oona (2001) Every death counts: measurement of maternal mortality via a census. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 79 (7). pp. 657-664. ISSN 0042-9686

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Abstract

Abstract Methods for measuring maternal mortality at national and subnational levels in the developing world lag far behind the demand for estimates. We evaluated use of the national population census as a means of measuring maternal mortality by assessing data from five countries (Benin, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe) which identified maternal deaths in their censuses. Standard demographic methods were used to evaluate the completeness of reporting of adult female deaths and births in the year prior to the census. The results from these exercises were used to adjust the data. In four countries, the numbers of adult female deaths needed to be increased and three countries required upward adjustment of the numbers of recent births. The number of maternal deaths was increased by the same factor as that used for adult female deaths on the assumption that the proportion of adult female deaths due to maternal causes was correct. Age patterns of the various maternal mortality indicators were plausible and consistent with external sources of data for other populations. Our data suggest that under favourable conditions a national census is a feasible and promising approach for the measurement of maternal mortality. Moreover, use of the census circumvents several of the weaknesses of methods currently in use. However, it should also be noted that careful evaluation of the data and adjustment, if necessary, are essential. The public health community is urged to encourage governments to learn from the experience of these five countries and to place maternal mortality estimation in the hands of statistical agencies.

Item Type: Article
Official URL: http://www.who.int/bulletin/en/
Additional Information: © 2001 World Health Organization
Divisions: Social Policy
Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology
Date Deposited: 07 Nov 2008 12:39
Last Modified: 21 Feb 2024 23:00
URI: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/18118

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