Global Health Issue: Magnitude of Maternal Mortality

Global Health Issue Name Institution Global Health Issue Global health issues refer to those issues that require collaboration between countries, health systems, and organizations in formulating solutions because such issues lack a geographic limitation, thus the need for international collaboration (Bradbury-Jones & Clark, 2017). One of the main global health issues that need attention from health professionals is the issue of maternal health and mortality. Maternal mortality refers to the death of a woman that is associated with pregnancy and childbirth (Edmonson, McCarthy, Trent-Adams, & McCain, 2017). Thus, effective pregnancy management during the pregnancy and after is part of what healthcare professionals can do to reduce maternal deaths. Paying attention to maternal health is imperative because maternal deaths have been associated with several social and economic challenges. For instance, maternal deaths have been associated with increased financial burdens on the families of the deceased. In most cases, mothers play a significant role in sustaining the family financially and their death causes a decline in the income generated within the family (Kes, et al., 2016). The responsibility of providing for the family is left solely on the man, thus the increased financial burden. Further, maternal deaths also cause a shift in family roles because the father has to step in and take care of the kids in terms of cooking, feeding, and even bathing them, a role that is traditionally reserved for mothers (Kes, et al., 2016). Such a social change requires a high level of adjustment and can cause a strain on other relationships within the community affected. Finally, maternal deaths also contribute to education loss for the remaining children (Bazile, et al., 2015). The older children have to stay at home and help with taking care of the young ones and the financial challenges also keep them away from school. Magnitude of Maternal Mortality Maternal mortality is quite extensive, especially in developing countries, although positive changes have been made over the decades. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) (2018), globally, around 830 women die every day as a result of pregnancy and childbirth complications. A majority of those complications are preventable, which points to the need for intergovernmental and healthcare professionals co-operation in addressing the issue. It also points out to why the reduction of maternal deaths is part of the UN sustainable development goals (SDG). The positive changes experienced over the decades include a reduction of maternal deaths by approximately 29% between the year 1990 to 2015 (Kassebaum, et al., 2016). Given that the SDGs target is a reduction of maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to approximately 70 per 100,000 births (WHO, 2018), there is still a long way to go for healthcare professionals and the international community. According to Kassebaum, et al. (2016), the global MMR as of 2015 was 195.7 per 100,000 live births. Dropping this value to 70 will require a lot of collaboration and willingness to change the situation. Using the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI), which gives a summary measure of educational attainment, income per capita, and fertility rate, countries with high SDI have an MMR of 15 per 100,000 livebirths while those with low SDI have a 443.2 MMR (Kassebaum, et al., 2016). Clearly, there is a very high disparity between countries in the two groups, an indication that inequality is hugely affecting the delivery of health care and the ability to save lives. Affected Populations Maternal mortality affects several populations, both directly and indirectly. Adolescent girls who are below the age of 15 years are the most affected group of people (WHO, 2018). This can be attributed to the fact that their pelvic bones are not fully matured to handle childbirth. In addition, adolescents are more likely to seek backdoor abortions to avoid societal judgment, which places them at a higher maternal death risk. Restrepo-Mendez and Victora (2014) also reveal that women aged 35 years and above are at a higher risk of maternal mortality. This is especially the case in developed countries, which can be attributed to late motherhood in these countries as women tend to focus on personal and career growth before starting a family. Low-income populations are the most affected group of people, accounting for 99% of global maternal deaths (WHO, 2018). One of the reasons for this is the fact that women in low-income countries give birth more frequently than those in high-income countries (WHO, 2018), and as such, are at a higher risk of maternal mortality. Other populations that are affected by maternal mortality, albeit indirectly, are young girls. According to Bazile, et al. (2015), many girls fail to attend school after their mothers die due to pregnancy and childbirth complications and eventually end up getting married at tender ages. Thus, a cycle of early marriages/ pregnancies and consequent maternal deaths becomes the norm, especially in developing countries. Further, maternal mortality has also been linked to infant mortality. When mothers die after birth and leave infants behind, the survival rates of the infants drastically reduces (Bazile, et al., 2015) thus increasing the infant mortality rate. Such direct and indirect consequences of maternal mortality are the reasons why this is a global issue, given that developing countries cannot be able to address the issue without outside support. Risk Factors for the Affected Population Several risks factors have been associated with high maternal mortality across the different populations listed above. Among adolescent girls, the major risk factors for maternal mortality are unsafe abortion and complications during delivery (WHO, 2018). As mentioned earlier, these girls have immature pelvic bones which poses a higher risk of complications and are likely to resort to unsafe abortions due to fear of reprimand. One...