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Review
. 2008 Sep;26(3):280-94.
doi: 10.3329/jhpn.v26i3.1896.

Reducing maternal mortality and improving maternal health: Bangladesh and MDG 5

Marge Koblinsky  1 , Iqbal Anwar, Malay Kanti Mridha, Mahbub Elahi Chowdhury, Roslin Botlero
Affiliations
Review

Reducing maternal mortality and improving maternal health: Bangladesh and MDG 5

Marge Koblinsky et al. J Health Popul Nutr. 2008 Sep.

Abstract

Bangladesh is on its way to achieving the MDG 5 target of reducing the maternal mortality ratio by three-quarters between 1990 and 2015, but the annual rate of decline needs to triple. Although the use of skilled birth attendants has improved over the past 15 years, it remains less than 20% as of 2007 and is especially low among poor, uneducated rural women. Increasing the numbers of skilled birth attendants, deploying them in teams in facilities, and improving access to them through messages on antenatal care to women, have the potential to increase such use. The use of caesarean sections is increasing although not among poor, uneducated rural women. Strengthening appropriate quality emergency obstetric care in rural areas remains the major challenge. Strengthening other supportive services, including family planning and delayed first birth, menstrual regulation, and education of women, are also important for achieving MDG 5.

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Figures

Note: Maternal death was defined as the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, excluding deaths from intentional and unintentional injuries LB=Livebirths; MDG=Millennium Development Goal; MMR=Maternal mortality ratio
Fig. 1
Projection of MMR decline in Bangladesh during 1976–2015
Note: Maternal death was defined as the death of a woman while pregnant or within 90 days of pregnancy termination
Fig. 2
Trends in pregnancy-related deaths by types in ICDDR, B and government service areas in Matlab, 1976–2005
Note: Maternal death was defined as the death of a woman while pregnant or within 90 days of pregnancy termination
Fig. 3
Trends in pregnancy-related deaths by pregnancy order, Matlab, 1976–2005
Source of data: Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 1993-1994, 1996-1997, 1999-2000, and 2004 (6,8-10); ANC=Antenatal care
Fig. 4
Trends in the use of maternal health services, Bangladesh, 1991–2004
CS= Casercan Section; SES=Socioeconomic status
Fig. 5
Inequalities in delivery by caeserean sections Bangladesh, 1995–2004
AMI=Absolute maternal indication; Ecl=Eclampsia; OL=Obstructed labour; PET=Pre-eclampsia toxaemia
Fig. 6
Obstetric surgeries by indication per district
ANC=Antenatal care
Fig. 7
Trends in number of antenatal care visits, Bangladesh, 1991–2004
SES=Socioeconomic status
Fig. 8
Trends in inequalities in accessing skilled attendance in Bangladesh
ANC=Antenatal care; PNC=Postnatal care
Fig. 9
Bangladesh: use of maternal health service indicators by the wealth quintile, 2001–2004
CSBA=Community skilled birth attendant
Fig. 10
Skilled care at delivery: projected scenario, 2006–2015
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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