Draft:Maternal health in Africa
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Maternal health remains a pressing issue globally, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where despite some advancements that resulted in a notable decline of about 44%, signifying progress in 1990 and 2015, significant challenges persist.[1]. Regional differences in access to fundamental maternal healthcare interventions are evident, with Southern Africa boasting nearly universal coverage compared to West Africa, where approximately one-third of expectant mothers lack access to antenatal care (ANC) visits[2].
Early childbirth presents higher health risks for both mothers and infants, resulting in issues such as lower educational attainment and entrenched poverty[3]. The African Region is confronted with the highest adolescent birth rate globally, with an estimated 120 births per 1000 adolescent women[4].
Despite concerted efforts, Africa continues to be faced with the highest maternal mortality ratio worldwide. Surprisingly, 99% of maternal deaths occur in developing countries, negatively affecting rural and economically disadvantaged communities[5]. Young adolescents face particularly elevated risks during pregnancy, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive maternal healthcare services[6]
Looking forward, the Sustainable Development Goals set a target for further reducing the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030[7]. Achieving this objective hinges on sustained dedication to enhancing access to skilled maternal care throughout the childbirth continuum, safeguarding the health and welfare of both mothers and newborns.
References
[edit]- ^ "Maternal Health in Africa". Maternal Health in Africa.
- ^ "Maternal mortality rates and statistics". UNICEF DATA. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
- ^ "Maternal Health in Africa". UNFPA.
- ^ "Maternal mortality fact sheet". Africa Health Organisation. 2019-03-24. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
- ^ Bain, Luchuo Engelbert; Aboagye, Richard Gyan; Dowou, Robert Kokou; Kongnyuy, Eugene Justine; Memiah, Peter; Amu, Hubert (2022-04-05). "Prevalence and determinants of maternal healthcare utilisation among young women in sub-Saharan Africa: cross-sectional analyses of demographic and health survey data". BMC Public Health. 22 (1): 647. doi:10.1186/s12889-022-13037-8. ISSN 1471-2458. PMC 8981812. PMID 35379198.
- ^ "Maternal Health". WHO | Regional Office for Africa. 2024-04-11. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
- ^ "Maternal Health in Africa" (PDF). unfpa.