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Published in: International Journal of Public Health 1/2018

Open Access 01-05-2018 | Original Article

Maternal mortality and morbidity burden in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2015 study

Author: GBD 2015 Eastern Mediterranean Region Maternal Mortality Collaborators

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Special Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Objectives

Assessing the burden of maternal mortality is important for tracking progress and identifying public health gaps. This paper provides an overview of the burden of maternal mortality in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) by underlying cause and age from 1990 to 2015.

Methods

We used the results of the Global Burden of Disease 2015 study to explore maternal mortality in the EMR countries.

Results

The maternal mortality ratio in the EMR decreased 16.3% from 283 (241–328) maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 237 (188–293) in 2015. Maternal mortality ratio was strongly correlated with socio-demographic status, where the lowest-income countries contributed the most to the burden of maternal mortality in the region.

Conclusion

Progress in reducing maternal mortality in the EMR has accelerated in the past 15 years, but the burden remains high. Coordinated and rigorous efforts are needed to make sure that adequate and timely services and interventions are available for women at each stage of reproductive life.
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Metadata
Title
Maternal mortality and morbidity burden in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2015 study
Author
GBD 2015 Eastern Mediterranean Region Maternal Mortality Collaborators
Publication date
01-05-2018
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue Special Issue 1/2018
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-017-1004-3

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