Temporal trends and spatial clusters of high risk for maternal death due to COVID-19 pre and during COVID-19 vaccination in Brazil: a national population-based ecological study.

OBJECTIVE: This study comprehensively analyzed the temporal and spatial dynamics of COVID-19 cases and deaths within the obstetric population in Brazil, comparing the periods before and during mass COVID-19 vaccination. We explored the trends and geographical patterns of COVID-19 cases and maternal deaths over time. We also examined their correlation with the SARS-CoV-2 variant circulating and the social determinants of health. STUDY DESIGN: This is a nationwide population-based ecological study. METHODS: We obtained data on COVID-19 cases, deaths, socioeconomic status, and vulnerability information for Brazil's 5570 municipalities for both the pre-COVID-19 vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination periods. A Bayesian model was used to mitigate indicator fluctuations. The spatial correlation of maternal cases and fatalities with socioeconomic and vulnerability indicators was assessed using bivariate Moran. RESULTS: From March 2020 to June 2023, a total of 23,823 cases and 1991 maternal fatalities were recorded among pregnant and postpartum women. The temporal trends in maternal incidence and mortality rates fluctuated over the study period, largely influenced by widespread COVID-19 vaccination and the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant. There was a significant reduction in maternal mortality due to COVID-19 following the introduction of vaccination. The geographical distribution of COVID-19 cases and maternal deaths exhibited marked heterogeneity in both periods, with distinct spatial clusters predominantly observed in the North, Northeast, and Central West regions. Municipalities with the highest Human Development Index reported the highest incidence rates, while those with the highest levels of social vulnerability exhibited elevated mortality and fatality rates. CONCLUSION: Despite the circulation of highly transmissible variants of concern, maternal mortality due to COVID-19 was significantly reduced following the mass vaccination. There was a heterogeneous distribution of cases and fatalities in both periods (before and during mass vaccination). Smaller municipalities and those grappling with social vulnerability issues experienced the highest rates of maternal mortality and fatalities.

Maternal Deaths Using Coroner's Data: A Latent Class Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Knowledge regarding the antecedent clinical and social factors associated with maternal death around the time of pregnancy is limited. This study identified distinct subgroups of maternal deaths using population-based coroner's data, and that may inform ongoing preventative initiatives. METHODS: A detailed review of coroner's death files was performed for all of Ontario, Canada, where there is a single reporting mechanism for maternal deaths. Deaths in pregnancy, or within 365 days thereafter, were identified within the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario database, 2004-2020. Variables related to the social and clinical circumstances surrounding the deaths were abstracted in a standardized manner from each death file, including demographics, forensic information, nature and cause of death, and antecedent health and health care factors. These variables were then entered into a latent class analysis (LCA) to identify distinct types of deaths. RESULTS: Among 273 deaths identified in the study period, LCA optimally identified three distinct subgroups, namely, (1) in-hospital deaths arising during birth or soon thereafter (52.7% of the sample); (2) accidents and unforeseen obstetric complications also resulting in infant demise (26.3%); and (3) out-of-hospital suicides occurring postpartum (21.0%). Physical injury (22.0%) was the leading cause of death, followed by hemorrhage (16.8%) and overdose (13.3%). CONCLUSION: Peri-pregnancy maternal deaths can be classified into three distinct sub-types, with somewhat differing causes. These findings may enhance clinical and policy development aimed at reducing pregnancy mortality.

State Abortion Policies and Maternal Death in the United States, 2015‒2018.

Objectives. To examine associations between state-level variation in abortion-restricting policies in 2015 and total maternal mortality (TMM), maternal mortality (MM), and late maternal mortality (LMM) from 2015 to 2018 in the United States. Methods. We derived an abortion policy composite index for each state based on 8 state-level abortion-restricting policies. We fit ecological state-level generalized linear Poisson regression models with robust standard errors to estimate 4-year TMM, MM, and LMM rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with a 1-unit increase in the abortion index, adjusting for state-level covariates. Results. States with the higher score of abortion policy composite index had a 7% increase in TMM (adjusted rate ratio [ARR] = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.02, 1.12) compared with states with lower abortion policy composite index, after we adjusted for state-level covariates. Among individual abortion policies, states with a licensed physician requirement had a 51% higher TMM (ARR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.15, 1.99) and a 35% higher MM (ARR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.09, 1.67), and states with restrictions on Medicaid coverage of abortion care had a 29% higher TMM (ARR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.03, 1.61). Conclusions. Restricting access to abortion care at the state level may increase the risk for TMM.

Perspectives of policymakers and health providers on barriers and facilitators to skilled pregnancy care: findings from a qualitative study in rural Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The uptake of skilled pregnancy care in rural areas of Nigeria remains a challenge amid the various strategies aimed at improving access to skilled care. The low use of skilled health care during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum indicates that Nigerian women are paying a heavy price as seen in the country's very high maternal mortality rates. The perceptions of key stakeholders on the use of skilled care will provide a broad understanding of factors that need to be addressed to increase women's access to skilled pregnancy care. The objective of this study was therefore, to explore the perspectives of policymakers and health workers, two major stakeholders in the health system, on facilitators and barriers to women's use of skilled pregnancy care in rural Edo State, Nigeria. METHODS: This paper draws on qualitative data collected in Edo State through key informant interviews with 13 key stakeholders (policy makers and healthcare providers) from a range of institutions. Data was analyzed using an iterative process of inductive and deductive approaches. RESULTS: Stakeholders identified barriers to pregnant women's use of skilled pregnancy care and they include; financial constraints, women's lack of decision-making power, ignorance, poor understanding of health, competitive services offered by traditional birth attendants, previous negative experience with skilled healthcare, shortage of health workforce, and poor financing and governance of the health system. Study participants suggested health insurance schemes, community support for skilled pregnancy care, favourable financial and governance policies, as necessary to facilitate women's use of skilled pregnancy care. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to the literature, a rich description of views from policymakers and health providers on the deterrents and enablers to skilled pregnancy care. The views and recommendations of policymakers and health workers have highlighted the importance of multi-level factors in initiatives to improve pregnant women's health behaviour. Therefore, initiatives seeking to improve pregnant women's use of skilled pregnancy care should ensure that important factors at each distinct level of the social and physical environment are identified and addressed.

"It might be a statistic to me, but every death matters.": An assessment of facility-level maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response systems in four sub-Saharan African countries.

BACKGROUND: Maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR) systems aim to understand and address key contributors to maternal and perinatal deaths to prevent future deaths. From 2016-2017, the US Agency for International Development's Maternal and Child Survival Program conducted an assessment of MPDSR implementation in Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. METHODS: A cross-sectional, mixed-methods research design was used to assess MPDSR implementation. The study included a desk review, policy mapping, semistructured interviews with 41 subnational stakeholders, observations, and interviews with key informants at 55 purposefully selected facilities. Using a standardised tool with progress markers defined for six stages of implementation, each facility was assigned a score from 0-30. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed from the 47 facilities with a score above 10 ('evidence of MPDSR practice'). RESULTS: The mean calculated MPDSR implementation progress score across 47 facilities was 18.98 out of 30 (range: 11.75-27.38). The team observed variation across the national MPDSR guidelines and tools, and inconsistent implementation of MPDSR at subnational and facility levels. Nearly all facilities had a designated MPDSR coordinator, but varied in their availability and use of standardised forms and the frequency of mortality audit meetings. Few facilities (9%) had mechanisms in place to promote a no-blame environment. Some facilities (44%) could demonstrate evidence that a change occurred due to MPDSR. Factors enabling implementation included clear support from leadership, commitment from staff, and regular occurrence of meetings. Barriers included lack of health worker capacity, limited staff time, and limited staff motivation. CONCLUSION: This study was the first to apply a standardised scoring methodology to assess subnational- and facility-level MPDSR implementation progress. Structures and processes for implementing MPDSR existed in all four countries. Many implementation gaps were identified that can inform priorities and future research for strengthening MPDSR in low-capacity settings.

Antenatal Corticosteroids for Pregnant Women at High Risk of Preterm Delivery with COVID-19 Infection: A Decision Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Antenatal corticosteroids given prior to preterm deliveries reduce the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. However, steroid administration in the setting of a viral respiratory infection can worsen maternal outcomes. Therefore, the decision to administer corticosteroids must balance the neonatal benefits with the potential harm to the mother if she is infected with the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to determine the gestational ages for which administering antenatal corticosteroids to women at high risk of preterm labor with concurrent COVID-19 infection results in improved combined maternal and infant outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: A decision-analytic model using TreeAge (2020) software was constructed for a theoretical cohort of hospitalized women with COVID-19 in the United States. All model inputs were derived from the literature. Outcomes included maternal intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death, along with infant outcomes of death, respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, and neurodevelopmental delay. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were assessed from the maternal and infant perspectives. Sensitivity analyses were performed to determine if the results were robust over a range of assumptions. RESULTS: In our theoretical cohort of 10,000 women delivering between 24 and 33 weeks of gestation with COVID-19, corticosteroid administration resulted in 2,200 women admitted to the ICU and 110 maternal deaths. No antenatal corticosteroid use resulted in 1,500 ICU admissions and 75 maternal deaths. Overall, we found that corticosteroid administration resulted in higher combined QALYs up to 31 weeks of gestation in all hospitalized patients, and up to 29 weeks of gestation in ICU patients. CONCLUSION: Administration of antenatal corticosteroids at less than 32 weeks of gestation for hospitalized patients and less than 30 weeks of gestation for patients admitted to the ICU resulted in higher combined maternal and infant outcomes compared with expectant management for women at high risk of preterm birth with COVID-19 infection. These results can guide clinicians in their counseling and management of these pregnant women. KEY POINTS: · Antenatal steroids reduce adverse neonatal outcomes.. · Steroids worsen maternal outcomes in COVID-19.. · Steroids given < 32 weeks result in improved outcomes..

Triangulating data sources for further learning from and about the MDSR in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional review of facility based maternal death data from EmONC assessment and MDSR system.

BACKGROUND: Triangulating findings from MDSR with other sources can better inform maternal health programs. A national Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) assessment and the Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MDSR) system provided data to determine the coverage of MDSR implementation in health facilities, the leading causes and contributing factors to death, and the extent to which life-saving interventions were provided to deceased women. METHODS: This paper is based on triangulation of findings from a descriptive analysis of secondary data extracted from the 2016 EmONC assessment and the MDSR system databases. EmONC assessment was conducted in 3804 health facilities. Data from interview of each facility leader on MDSR implementation, review of 1305 registered maternal deaths and 679 chart reviews of maternal deaths that happened form May 16, 2015 to December 15, 2016 were included from the EmONC assessment. Case summary reports of 601 reviewed maternal deaths were included from the MDSR system. RESULTS: A maternal death review committee was established in 64% of health facilities. 5.5% of facilities had submitted at least one maternal death summary report to the national MDSR database. Postpartum hemorrhage (10-27%) and severe preeclampsia/eclampsia (10-24.1%) were the leading primary causes of maternal death. In MDSR, delay-1 factors contributed to 7-33% of maternal deaths. Delay-2, related to reaching a facility, contributed to 32% & 40% of maternal deaths in the EmONC assessment and MDSR, respectively. Similarly, delay-3 factor due to delayed transfer of mothers to appropriate level of care contributed for 29 and 22% of maternal deaths. From the EmONC data, 72% of the women who died due to severe pre-eclampsia or eclampsia were given anticonvulsants while 48% of those dying of postpartum haemorrhage received uterotonics. CONCLUSION: The facility level implementation coverage of MDSR was sub-optimal. Obstetric hemorrhage and severe preeclampsia or eclampsia were the leading causes of maternal death. Delayed arrival to facility (Delay 2) was the predominant contributing factor to facility-based maternal deaths. The limited EmONC provision should be the focus of quality improvement in health facilities.

Implementation assessment in confidential enquiry programmes: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Response should be a key part of maternal death surveillance and response (MDSR) programmes, which include confidential enquiries into maternal deaths. The programmes investigate avoidable factors in maternal deaths and make recommendations for improving maternity care. There is a gap in information on how these recommendations are transformed into practice. OBJECTIVE: To explore the methods used to assess the implementation status of recommendations made in confidential enquiries into maternal deaths and other health outcomes. DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Google Scholar databases and general web for grey literature using the "Arksey and O'Malley framework" in all major scientific databases and search engines. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: An initial screening was followed by extraction of information using a data chart. Variables in the chart were based on the response component of maternal death and surveillance systems. SYNTHESIS: Information collected was summarised using content analysis method. RESULTS: We reviewed 13 confidential enquiry systems into maternal deaths. Many confidential enquiries into maternal deaths published reports with their recommendations and dissemination often involved national-level scientific presentations. Only five reports provided strategies for implementing the recommendations. Follow-up of previous recommendations was routinely published in only two reports. However, impact assessment of recommendations on other health outcomes was found only in the UK. CONCLUSION: There is a gap in monitoring the response generated by confidential enquiries into maternal deaths. Actions to develop this are therefore needed.

The Impact of Parental Death in Childhood on Sons' and Daughters' Status Attainment in Young Adulthood in the Netherlands, 1850-1952.

Previous research on the impact of parental loss on labor market outcomes in adulthood has often suffered from low sample sizes. To generate further insights into the long-term consequences of parental death, I use the Historical Sample of the Netherlands (HSN). The HSN contains occupational information on life courses of a sample of more than 8,000 males and almost 7,000 females born between 1850 and 1922, a period of important labor market transformations. Roughly 20 % of the sample population experienced parental death before age 16. Linear regression models show that maternal loss is significantly associated with lower occupational position in adulthood for both men and women, which points to the crucial importance of maternal care in childhood for socioeconomic outcomes in later life. This interpretation is supported by the finding that a stepmother's entry into the family is positively related with sons' occupational position later in life. In contrast to expectations, the loss of economic resources related to the father's death is generally not associated with lower status attainment in adulthood for men or for women. The results indicate, however, that the negative consequences of paternal death on men's socioeconomic outcomes decreased over time, illustrating the complex interaction between individual life courses and surrounding labor market transformations.

Effect of Implementation of Free Maternity Policy on Selected Maternal and Newborn Health Indicators in Gem Sub-County, Siaya County, Western Kenya.

INTRODUCTION: Kenya introduced free maternity services in June 2013. The main study objective was to investigate the effect of this intervention on maternal and newborn health and specifically to determine differences in 4th antenatal care visits, facility deliveries, post-abortion care, and occurrence of facility-based maternal and neonatal deaths two years pre-and-post intervention. METHODS: The study site was Gem Sub-County, Kenya. The study design was an interrupted time series (ITS). Longitudinal data from the District Health Information Software (DHIS2) were analyzed by the Chow test and segmented linear regression. RESULTS: In the post-intervention period, 4th antenatal care visits decreased by .6% (p = .839); facility deliveries decreased by 1.6% (p = .616); post-abortion care uptake increased by 54.4% (p = .000); maternal deaths increased by 10.1% (p = .192) whereas neonatal deaths decreased by .1% (p = .466). CONCLUSION: The intervention had a significant influence on the uptake of post-abortion care.

Monitoring progress in reducing maternal mortality using verbal autopsy methods in vital registration systems: what can we conclude about specific causes of maternal death?

Reducing maternal mortality is a key focus of development strategies and one of the indicators used to measure progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In the absence of medical certification of the cause of deaths that occur in the community, verbal autopsy (VA) methods are the only available means to assess levels and trends of maternal deaths that occur outside health facilities. The 2016 World Health Organization VA Instrument facilitates the identification of eight specific causes of maternal death, yet maternal deaths are often unsupervised, leading to sparse and generally poor symptom reporting to inform a reliable diagnosis using VAs. There is little research evidence to support the reliable identification of specific causes of maternal death in the context of routine VAs. We recommend that routine VAs are only used to capture the event of a maternal death and that more detailed follow-up interviews are used to identify the specific causes.

Omisión de registros de causas maternas de muerte en Argentina: estudio observacional de alcance nacional / Omission of causes of maternal death in death certificates in Argentina: nationwide observational study / Omissão do registro de causas maternas de morte na Argentina: estudo observacional de alcance nacional

RESUMEN Objetivo Determinar la magnitud y características de la omisión del registro de causas maternas de muerte en Argentina y reestimar la razón de mortalidad materna (RMM) para el año 2014. Métodos Estudio de corte transversal. Revisión retrospectiva de registros médicos de mujeres en edad reproductiva que murieron por causas sospechosas de encubrir muertes maternas en instituciones del sector público, la seguridad social y privado en todas las jurisdicciones del país entre el 1 de enero y el 31 de diciembre de 2014. Se reclasificó la causa de muerte consignada en el Informe Estadístico de Defunción. Las medidas de resultado incluyeron el porcentaje de omisión del registro, la estructura de causas, el lugar, el momento de la muerte en relación con el proceso reproductivo y la edad gestacional. Se reestimó la RMM en base a los resultados. Resultados Se analizaron 969 registros médicos (82,4%) de una muestra de 1 176 casos. Se identificaron 60 casos donde se omitió la causa materna de muerte (48 muertes maternas, 12 muertes maternas tardías). El porcentaje de omisión fue del 14,2% para las muertes maternas y del 33,3% para las muertes maternas tardías. La nueva RMM estimada para el año 2014 osciló entre 43,3 y 47,2 muertes por cada 100 000 nacidos vivos. Conclusiones La omisión de registro de causas maternas de muerte en Argentina podría ser menor a la reportada por agencias internacionales. Existen diferencias de omisión entre las regiones. Se necesitan esfuerzos que enfaticen la importancia del llenado correcto de los certificados de defunción.

SUMMARY Objective To determine the magnitude and characteristics of the omission of causes of maternal death in death certificates in Argentina, and to re-estimate the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) for the year 2014. Methods Cross-sectional study. Retrospective review of medical records of women of childbearing age who died from causes suspected of concealing maternal deaths in public, social security, and private institutions in all jurisdictions of the country between 1 January and 31 December 2014. The cause of death recorded in the death certificate was reclassified. Outcome measures included: percentage of records with an omission, structure of causes of death, location, time of death with respect to the reproductive process, and gestational age. The RMM was re-estimated on the basis of the results. Results Of a sample of 1,176 cases, 969 medical records (82.4%) were analyzed, identifying 60 cases in which the cause of maternal death was omitted (48 maternal deaths, 12 late maternal deaths). Omissions were found in 14.2% of maternal deaths and 33.3% of late maternal deaths. The new estimated MMR for 2014 varied between 43.3 and 47.2 deaths per 100,000 live births. Conclusions The omission of causes of maternal death in death certificates in Argentina may be less frequent than international agencies have reported, with differences in omission between regions. Efforts must be made to emphasize the importance of filling out death certificates correctly.

RESUMO Objetivo Determinar a dimensão e as características da omissão do registro de causas maternas de morte na Argentina e realizar uma nova estimativa da taxa de mortalidade materna (TMM) para o ano 2014. Métodos Estudo de corte transversal com a revisão retrospectiva dos registros médicos de mulheres em idade reprodutiva que morreram por causas com suspeita de encobrir mortes maternas em instituições da rede pública e previdência social e instituições particulares em todas as jurisdições do país entre 1º. de janeiro e 31 de dezembro de 2014. Foi feita a reclassificação da causa de morte atribuída no Informe Estatístico de Óbitos. As medidas de resultados foram porcentagem de omissão do registro, estrutura de causas de mortes maternas, local, momento da morte em relação ao processo reprodutivo e idade gestacional. Foi realizada uma nova estimativa da TMM com base nos resultados. Resultados Foram analisados 969 registros médicos (82,4%) de uma amostra de 1.176 casos. Foram identificados 60 casos em que houve omissão da causa materna de morte (48 mortes maternas, 12 mortes maternas tardias). Verificou-se uma porcentagem de omissão de 14,2% para as mortes maternas e 33,3% para as mortes maternas tardias. A nova TMM estimada para o ano 2014 oscilou entre 43,3 e 47,2 mortes por 100.000 nascidos vivos. Conclusões A omissão de registro de causas maternas de morte na Argentina pode ser menor que a informada pelas agências internacionais. Existe diferença de omissão entre as regiões. São necessários esforços que enfatizem a importância do preenchimento correto da certidão de óbito.

Mortes maternas e de mulheres em idade reprodutiva na população indígena, Pernambuco, 2006-2012 / Muertes maternas y de mujeres en edad reprodutiva, en la población indígena, Pernambuco, Brasil, 2006-2012 / Maternal deaths and deaths of women of childbearing age in the indigenous population, Pernambuco, Brazil, 2006-2012

Objetivo: descrever as mortes de mulheres em idade reprodutiva e materna entre indígenas do estado de Pernambuco, Brasil, no período de 2006 a 2012. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo descritivo, realizado a partir de linkage entre o Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM) e seu módulo de investigação (SIM-Web); as causas de morte foram consideradas de acordo com a Classificação Estatística Internacional de Doenças e Problemas Relacionados à Saúde - 10a Revisão (CID-10). Resultados: obteve-se um banco de dados composto por 115 registros, dos quais apenas 58,3% foram informados no SIM como indígenas; as principais causas de óbito foram doenças do aparelho circulatório (27,0%), causas externas (14,8%), neoplasias (13,0%) e causas maternas (8,7%). Conclusão: houve sub-registro das mortes de mulheres indígenas em idade reprodutiva; as doenças do aparelho circulatório foram as principais causas desses óbitos, embora as mortes maternas ainda representem importante causa de óbito na população estudada.

Objetivo: describir las muertes de mujeres en edad fértil y materna entre indígenas del estado de Pernambuco, Brasil, en el periodo de 2006 a 2012. Métodos: se trata de un estudio descriptivo realizado a partir del linkage entre el Sistema de Informaciones sobre Mortalidad (SIM) y su módulo de investigación (SIM-Web). Resultados: las causas de muertes fueron consideradas según la Clasificación Estadística Internacional de Enfermedades y Problemas Relacionados a la Salud - 10a Revisión (CID-10); se obtuvo un banco compuesto por 115 registros, de los cuales 58,3% fueran informados al SIM como indígenas; las principales causas de óbito fueron enfermedades del aparato circulatorio (27,0%), causas externas (14,8%), neoplasias (13,0%) y causas maternas (8,7%). Conclusión: hubo subregistro de las muertes de mujeres indígenas en edad fértil; las principales causas de esas muertes fueron las enfermedades del aparato circulatorio, aunque las muertes maternas todavía representen importante causa de óbito en la población estudiada.

Objective: to describe maternal deaths and deaths of women of childbearing age in the indigenous population in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, from 2006 to 2012. Method: this is a descriptive study based on linkage of data from the Mortality Information System (SIM) and its investigation module (SIM-Web); causes of death were considered in accordance with the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Related Problems - 10th Revision (ICD-10). Results: linkage provided a database comprised of 115 records, of which only 58.3% were recorded on SIM as indigenous; the main causes of death were diseases of the circulatory system (27.0%), external causes (14.8%), neoplasms (13.0%), and maternal factors (8.7%). Conclusion: deaths of indigenous women of childbearing age were underreported; the main cause of these deaths were diseases of the circulatory system, although maternal deaths still represent an important cause of death in the population studied.

A Low-Cost, Community Knowledge Approach to Estimate Maternal and Jaundice-Associated Mortality in Rural Bangladesh.

In the absence of a civil registration system, a house-to-house survey is often used to estimate cause-specific mortality in low- and middle-income countries. However, house-to-house surveys are resource and time intensive. We applied a low-cost community knowledge approach to identify maternal deaths from any cause and jaundice-associated deaths among persons aged ≥ 14 years, and stillbirths and neonatal deaths in mothers with jaundice during pregnancy in five rural communities in Bangladesh. We estimated the method's sensitivity and cost savings compared with a house-to-house survey. In the five communities with a total of 125,570 population, we identified 13 maternal deaths, 60 deaths among persons aged ≥ 14 years associated with jaundice, five neonatal deaths, and four stillbirths born to a mother with jaundice during pregnancy over the 3-year period before the survey using the community knowledge approach. The sensitivity of community knowledge method in identifying target deaths ranged from 80% for neonatal deaths to 100% for stillbirths and maternal deaths. The community knowledge approach required 36% of the staff time to undertake compared with the house-to-house survey. The community knowledge approach was less expensive but highly sensitive in identifying maternal and jaundice-associated mortality, as well as all-cause adult mortality in rural settings in Bangladesh. This method can be applied in rural settings of other low- and middle-income countries and, in conjunction with hospital-based hepatitis diagnoses, used to monitor the impact of programs to reduce the burden of cause-specific hepatitis mortality, a current World Health Organization priority.

Population-level factors associated with maternal mortality in the United States, 1997-2012.

BACKGROUND: In contrast to peer nations, the United States is experiencing rapid increases in maternal mortality. Trends in individual and population-level demographic factors and health trends may play a role in this change. METHODS: We analyzed state-level maternal mortality for the years 1997-2012 using multilevel mixed-effects regression grouped by state, using publicly available data including whether a state had adopted the 2003 U.S. Standard Certificate of Death, designed to simplify identification of pregnant and recently pregnant decedents. We calculated the proportion of the increase in maternal mortality attributable to specific factors during the study period. RESULTS: Maternal mortality was associated with higher population prevalence of obesity and high school non-completion among women of childbearing age; these factors explained 31.0% and 5.3% of the attributable increase in maternal mortality during the study period, respectively. Among delivering mothers, prevalence of diabetes (17.0%), attending fewer than 10 prenatal visits (4.9%), and African American race (2.0%) were also associated with higher maternal mortality, as was time-varying state adoption of the 2003 death certificate (31.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that, in addition to better case ascertainment of maternal deaths, adverse changes in chronic diseases, insufficient healthcare access, and social determinants of health represent identifiable risks for maternal mortality that merit prompt attention in population-directed interventions and health policies.

Surveillance of maternal deaths in Barpeta district of Assam.

Background: Assam has the highest maternal mortality in India. It is difficult to make a precise estimate of maternal mortality because the available information from various surveys has a wide confidence interval. Biomedical causes of maternal mortality are known, but there is little information on determinants of sociocultural and health system aspects. Delays at various levels such as at home (first level), during transportation (second level) and at hospital (third level) operate in a maternal death. Information on these determinants will give a better understanding of the circumstances of death. We aimed to estimate the maternal mortality ratio of Barpeta district in Assam and to understand the sociocultural factors and delays at various levels, which contribute to maternal death. Method: We did a community-based, cross-sectional study. During the surveillance period of 1 year, all maternal deaths occurring in the district were identified from multiple sources and informants. These included all deaths occurring in the health facility or in the community. In 50% of such deaths, social autopsy was conducted. The data were analysed manually for descriptive statistics and thematic areas. Results: The maternal mortality ratio of the district is 225 per 100 000 live-births. About 95% of respondents availed antenatal services and 57% delivered in hospital. The routine maternal death surveillance system is sensitive and detected 94% of maternal deaths. However, community-based verbal autopsy is yet to be functional. Most maternal deaths occur among women from low socioeconomic conditions. Delay at the first level occurred in 10 maternal deaths, at the second level in 18 maternal deaths and at the third level in 8 maternal deaths. Conclusions: Health-seeking behaviour is favourable and 90% of mothers sought services. Improved and functioning infrastructure will ensure better transportation facilities and early referral to a secondary- or tertiary-level health facility, which can prevent many maternal deaths.

Annual Report of the Perinatology Committee, Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2015: Proposal of urgent measures to reduce maternal deaths.

Perinatal care in Japan has progressed rapidly in recent decades, remarkably reducing maternal, perinatal and neonatal mortality rates. This is attributable not only to the sustained efforts and dedication of past obstetricians and midwives, but also to the collective results achieved by the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and healthcare administration, including research on advanced medical care, education, medical care improvements and establishing perinatal care centers. Although the maternal mortality rate was in steady decline until 2007 (3.1/100 000 births), it repeatedly fluctuated thereafter, plateauing at 3.4 per 100 000 births in 2013 and 2.7 per 100 000 births in 2014. Thus, the Perinatology Committee has analyzed the current situation of maternal deaths and has proposed countermeasures to reduce such death. The items deliberated upon by related subcommittees in 2015 are presented herein. The addition of indications for 'fibrinogen concentrate', 'eptacog alfa' and approval of the PGE2 vaginal tablet for cervical ripening were discussed in the subcommittee for unapproved drug review. Thus, a request for approval for health insurance coverage was submitted to the 'Evaluation committee on unapproved or off-label drugs with high medical needs' of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Maternal and late-maternal deaths from suicide during the 10 years from 2005 to 2014 in Tokyo's 23 wards were jointly examined with the Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office. The suicide rate in the 23 wards is very high, at 8.7 per 100 000 births. Thus, the subcommittee for the reduction of maternal death discussed countermeasures for the eradication of maternal death and maternal suicide and the revision of death certificates.

The Effect of Maternal Death on the Health of the Husband and Children in a Rural Area of China: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of maternal death on the health of the index child, the health and educational attainment of the older children, and the mental health and quality of life of the surviving husband. METHODS: A cohort study including 183 households that experienced a maternal death matched to 346 households that experienced childbirth but not a maternal death was conducted prospectively between June 2009 and October 2011 in rural China. Data on household sociodemographic characteristics, physical and mental health were collected using a quantitative questionnaire and medical examination at baseline and follow-up surveys. Multivariate linear regression, logistic regression models and difference-in-difference (DID) were used to compare differences of outcomes between two groups. FINDINGS: The index children who experienced the loss of a mother had a significantly higher likelihood of dying, abandonment and malnutrition compared to children whose mothers survived at the follow-up survey. The risk of not attending school on time and dropping out of school among older children in the affected group was higher than those in the control group during the follow-up. Husbands whose wife died had significantly lower EQ-5D index and EQ-VAS both at baseline and at follow-up surveys compared to those without experiencing a wife's death, suggesting an immediate and sustained poorer mental health quality of life among the surviving husbands. Also the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was 72.6% at baseline and 56.2% at follow-up among husbands whose wife died. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal death has multifaceted and spillover effects on the physical and mental health of family members that are sustained over time. Programmes that reduce maternal mortality will mitigate repercussions on surviving family members are critical and needed.