Estimation of maternal and neonatal mortality at the subnational level in Liberia. Issue 2 (24th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moseson, Heidi; Massaquoi, Moses; Bawo, Luke; Birch, Linda; Dahn, Bernice; Zolia, Yah; Barreix, Maria; Gerdts, Caitlin
• Is Part Of: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics. Volume 127:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 194
• Page End: 200
• Publication Date: 2014-06-24
• Subjects: Liberia -- Low‐income countries -- Maternal deaths -- Maternal mortality ratio -- Measurement -- Millennium Development Goals -- Neonatal deaths -- Stillbirth; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2014.05.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7292

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To establish representative local‐area baseline estimates of maternal and neonatal mortality using a novel adjusted sisterhood method. Methods: The status of maternal and neonatal health in Bomi County, Liberia, was investigated in June 2013 using a population‐based survey (n = 1985). The standard direct sisterhood method was modified to account for place and time of maternal death to enable calculation of subnational estimates. Results: The modified method of measuring maternal mortality successfully enabled the calculation of area‐specific estimates. Of 71 reported deaths of sisters, 18 (25.4%) were due to pregnancy‐related causes and had occurred in the past 3 years in Bomi County. The estimated maternal mortality ratio was 890 maternal deaths for every 100 000 live births (95% CI, 497–1301]. The neonatal mortality rate was estimated to be 47 deaths for every 1000 live births (95% CI, 42–52). In total, 322 (16.9%) of 1900 women with accurate age data reported having had a stillbirth. Conclusion: The modified direct sisterhood method may be useful to other countries seeking a more regionally nuanced understanding of areas in which neonatal and maternal mortality levels still need to be reduced to meet Millennium Development Goals.