Determinants and prevention of maternal and child mortality

Determinants and Prevention of Maternal and Child Mortality

Most Relevant and Current Data

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Burkina Faso was 430 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, while the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) was 96 deaths per 1,000 live births in the same year (Kiemtore et al., 2020).

In Angola, the MMR was 420 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, and the U5MR was 70 deaths per 1,000 live births (Balogun et al., 2020).

In Albania, the MMR was 4 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, and the U5MR was 11 deaths per 1,000 live births (Mone et al., 2022).

Here is a bar chart comparing the MMRs of the three countries:

Country

MMR

Burkina Faso

430

Angola

420

Albania

4

And here is a bar chart comparing the U5MRs of the three countries:

Country

U5MR

Burkina Faso

96

Angola

70

Albania

11

Overall, it can be seen that Albania has the lowest rates of maternal and under-five mortality, while Burkina Faso and Angola have higher rates.

Preventive Services to Improve Maternal and Child Health Outcomes

In Burkina Faso, for example, the government has implemented a number of initiatives to improve maternal and child health outcomes, including the establishment of a national health insurance scheme to increase access to healthcare services and the expansion of community-based health worker programs to improve the delivery of healthcare at the local level (Kiendrebeogo et al., 2022).

In Angola, the government has also prioritized maternal and child health, launching a number of initiatives to increase the availability of essential health services and improve the quality of care, including the expansion of the national immunization program and the implementation of a national plan to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV (Vueba et al., 2021).

In Albania, the government has implemented a number of measures to improve maternal and child health, including the expansion of access to antenatal and postnatal care, the introduction of a national family planning program, and the implementation of a nationwide vaccination program (Tresa et al., 2022).

Socioeconomic Determinants

There are several socioeconomic determinants that can influence the use of preventive services in Burkina Faso, Angola, and Albania, including:

1. Poverty: Poverty can limit access to healthcare services and make it difficult for individuals to afford the costs associated with preventive care.

2. Education: Higher levels of education can lead to increased awareness of the importance of preventive services and greater use of these services, including the use of skilled birth attendants and coverage of antenatal care.

3. Gender: In some societies, traditional gender roles and beliefs can prevent women from seeking out preventive care, particularly in cases where they do not have the support of their male partners or families.

4. Geography: Rural communities may have limited access to healthcare facilities and services, making it more difficult for individuals to access preventive care.

5. Cultural practices: Certain cultural practices, such as traditional childbirth practices or beliefs about the causes of illness, can influence the use of preventive services.

In Burkina Faso, for example, poverty is a major factor that can influence the use of preventive services. According to the World Bank, Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world, with nearly 40% of the population living below the poverty line (N’dri & Kakinaka, 2020). This poverty can make it difficult for individuals to afford the costs associated with preventive care, including hiring skilled birth attendants or accessing antenatal care, leading to low utilization of these services.

In Angola, the civil war that ended in 2002 and the subsequent reconstruction efforts have had a significant impact on the country\\\\\\\'s maternal and child health outcomes. The conflict disrupted the healthcare system and led to the destruction of many health facilities, making it difficult for individuals to access preventive services (Cummings et al., 2019).

In Albania, while the country has made significant progress in reducing maternal and child mortality rates in recent years, these rates are still higher in rural areas compared to urban areas, reflecting the impact of geography on access to preventive services.

Barriers and Gaps and Achieving Sustainable Goals by 2030

There are several barriers and gaps in the existing preventive services in Burkina Faso, Angola, and Albania that can prevent individuals from accessing these services. Some examples include:

1. Lack of access to healthcare facilities: In some areas, there may be a shortage of healthcare facilities or the facilities that do exist may be located far from the communities they serve, making it difficult for individuals to access preventive services.

2. Lack of trained healthcare providers: In some cases, there may be a shortage of trained healthcare providers both in birthing support and in antenatal care, particularly in rural or underserved areas, which can make it difficult for individuals to receive preventive care.

3. Financial barriers: The cost of preventive services, including fees for healthcare visits and the cost of transportation to healthcare facilities, can be a barrier for some individuals.

4. Cultural barriers: Certain cultural practices or beliefs can prevent individuals from seeking out preventive care, particularly in cases where such care is not in line with traditional beliefs or practices.

To address these barriers and gaps, there are a number of interventions or efforts that could be put in place in these countries, both by governments and non-governmental organizations, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to maternal and child health. Some examples include:

1. Increasing access to healthcare facilities: Governments and NGOs can work to increase the availability of healthcare facilities, particularly in rural or underserved areas, to improve access to preventive services.

2. Training and supporting healthcare providers: Governments and NGOs can invest in training programs for healthcare providers and work to increase the number of trained providers, particularly in underserved areas.

3. Reducing financial barriers: Governments and NGOs can implement programs to reduce the cost of preventive services and make them more affordable for individuals. This could include initiatives such as subsidies or insurance programs to cover the cost of healthcare visits.

4. Educating communities: Governments and NGOs can work to educate communities about the importance of preventive services and the benefits of seeking out such care, with the goal of overcoming cultural barriers and increasing the utilization of these services.