Kathmandu 23 Nov, 09: Study shows  Nepal government of Nepal, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and UK Department  of international Development (DIFID) jointly launched the findings of the 2009 Maternal Mortality and Morbidity study. The current study is the follow up of the 1998 Maternal mortality and Morbidity study done to investigate factors associated with maternal and morbidity in Nepal, particularly the causes of maternal morbidity.

 

The study has been in process for more than one year, with data collected  from April 13, 2008 to April 13, 2009. The study shows that the maternal mortality ratio in eight study districts is 229 per 100,000 live births, ranging from 153 to 301 by districts. However, there has been a dramatic increase in suicidal deaths among women of reproductive age, from 10% in 1998 to 16% in 2008, raising suicide from the third to the first cause of death among women. This demands new effort to address this problem. The study also demonstrate ethnic variation with higher rates among Muslims, Terai/ Madhesis and Dalits, as well as geographic variations in maternal mortality.

Dr. Sudha Sharma , Secretary for Ministry of Health and Population  remarks,”The study is a landmark for  maternal health  programs in Nepal, demonstrating both our success and challenges for further reduction of maternal deaths to achieve the Millennium Development Goal.”
 

 

Ms. Anne Peniston, Director of the office of Health and Family Planning, USAID/Nepal, said “the study is an invaluable resource for maternal health policy makers and program managers. We hope that the finding will inform the Government of Nepal’s new health sector plans and programs for 2010-2015.”

Mr. Tony Burdon, Deputy Head of DFID Nepal said, “This study shows that Nepal has made incredible progress to reduce maternal mortality. This is because of government has made it a priority, and donors have backed the government. However, the rise in suicide is extremely worrying. Mental health and gender-based violence must also contribute. We support the government to improve the health of its people and its effort to end gender-based violence.”

Key findings of the report also show that maternal causes account for 11 percent of all deaths among women of reproductive age. Of the total maternal death, 7 in 10 were due to direct cause like heart disease, anemia, and gastroenteritis. Hemorrhage, although significantly reduced from 41 to 24 percent between 1998 and 2009, remains the leading cause of maternal deaths, followed by eclampsia (21 %), a pregnancy related complication.

Notes:

The study was carried out in the districts of Sunsari, Rupandehi, Kailali, Okhaldhunga, Baglung, Surkhet, Rasuwa and Jumla.