1. Aside from the factors discussed, the inequitable use of health services, particularly maternal and child health services, is another factor that significantly affects the maternal mortality rate in the Philippines. Health care use in the country has been “pro-rich” as it historically has been. Data reveals that despite the national government-led subsidy for the health insurance of the poor, inequities in maternal and child care services remain true with household income serving as the major driver. This issue still remains in our country primarily due to the lack of institutionalized health policies that facilitate the use of health services according to need and not on the individual’s or household’s capacity to pay for health services. As a consequence, most Filipino mothers or families from low to middle socioeconomic status find it extremely challenging to access needed healthcare services on a regular basis.
Another factor is the low level of contraceptive use in the country resulting in higher rates of unplanned pregnancies and, therefore, unsafe abortions. Aside from financial constraints that hinder Filipinos from accessing contraceptives, religious beliefs serve as another barrier. Since the majority of Filipinos are Catholics, contraceptive use is often negatively perceived as it has been associated with abortion which is believed by Filipinos to be a sinful act. As such, contraceptives were not made widely available at health care facilities, thus leading to limited access and use.
2.
Top 3 causes of maternal mortality (DOH, 2013):
- Complications related to pregnancy occurring in the course of labor, delivery, and puerperium
- Hypertension complicating pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium
- Postpartum hemorrhage
Top 3 causes of maternal morbidity:
- Hemorrhage
- Infection
- Unsafe abortions
References:
Department of Health. (2013). Maternal Deaths by Main Cause. https://doh.gov.ph/Statistics/Maternal-Deaths-By-Main-Cause.
Paredes, K.P. (2016). Inequality in the use of maternal and child health services in the Philippines: do pro-poor health policies result in more equitable use of services? International Journal for Equity in Health, 15(181). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-016-0473-y
Rau, A. (2020, July 16). Maternal Mortality in the Philippines. The Borgen Project. Retrieved February 15, 2022, from https://borgenproject.org/maternal-mortality-philippines/