Title:
Factors Influencing Maternal Mortality in Afghanistan
Authors:
Sayedi, Sayed Najibullah
Year:
2015
PAGE:
xii, 38
Language:
En
Subject:
Maternal Health – Lessons Learned
Keywords:
Maternal Mortality, Home Delivery, Women, Developing Countries, Determinants, Afghanistan
Abstract:
Background: Afghanistan is among the six countries in the world with the highest maternal mortality. Home delivery is commonly performed by the majority of the women because of access difficulties to health care services, or gender-based restrictions. Women are not often brought to health facility to give birth in early stage of delivery and childbirth. Women are primarily brought in in the case of complications developed due to maternal health determinants. Therefore, a deep understanding of healthcare seeking determinants is necessary in order to help identify strategies which could reduce the existing barriers and improve the health status of mothers in Afghanistan. In this thesis, data from Afgani as well as some neighbouring countries’ literature review are analysed using a refined version of the framework for analysing the determinants of maternal mortality and morbidity conceptual framework, developed by Deborah Maine (1992). Objective: To explore the factors influencing Maternal Mortality in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries in order to formulate possible recommended interventions to the Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan and stakeholders. Method: This is a descriptive study based on literature review. Result: The intermediate determinants influencing maternal mortality in Afghanistan are poor health status, reproductive status, access to health services, and health care behaviour/use of health services.. In addition, some main basic factors such as low income of household (36% of the population), insecurity and sociocultural norms; gender violence, gender discrimination and traditional beliefs are also contributing to maternal mortality. Conclusion: Factors that prevent women from receiving or seeking care before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth are: low awareness, cultural or behavioural mal-practices, distance, poverty, and inadequate and/or low quality services. Short and long term actions at individual, household, community and national levels are required to change the health status of mothers and improve the health outcomes. These actions include health education, provision of quality health care services, and special attention to gender issues and vulnerable groups.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
,
VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Department:
Development, Policy and Practice
Country:
Afghanistan
Region:
Central Asia
Training:
Master of Public Health / International Course in Health Development (MPH/ICHD)
Category:
Research
Right:
© 2015 Sayedi
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
iYoLcycnCL_20161103123001674.pdf