Other than the factors discussed in the lecture, what do you think are other factors affecting the maternal mortality rate in the Philippines?
Other than the factors discussed in the lecture, I think one of the most prevalent factors that affect the maternal mortality rate in the Philippines RIGHT NOW is the pandemic. Developing countries usually have challenged health care systems, and with the COVID-19 pandemic in the way, the impacts of the weak and disadvantaged public health care system of the Philippines have been heightened (UNFPA, 2020). The overwhelming number of COVID-19 cases lead to more inaccessible quality health care. Reduced access to care has had a detrimental effect on pregnancy outcomes. Without a question, the pandemic has emphasized the socioeconomic divide, leaving the marginalized even more vulnerable to adverse pregnancy outcomes due to limited resources (Lanre-Abass, 2008). Furthermore, because of how the virus is transmitted, there has been an increase in maternal anxiety and an evident decrease in the number of patient attendance to routine check-ups and unscheduled prenatal care. Prenatal care is essential to future mothers, as emphasized in the last discussion forum. However, just to reiterate, prenatal care can aid in recognizing and managing preventable complications, which greatly affect the maternal mortality rate. Women are much more likely to be unemployed and left at home with abusers during the pandemic, leading to a rise in domestic violence (UNFPA, 2020). It is said that domestic abuse contributes largely to maternal mortality (Chmielewska et al., 2021). There has also been a surge in teenage pregnancy during the pandemic (Daquioag, 2021). Adolescent mothers tend to have low-to-no income, poor education, and fewer opportunities, leading to poorer pregnancy outcomes (Sychareun et al., 2018). As future healthcare providers, I believe it is critical that we advocate for more government healthcare funding to ensure that women of reproductive age continue to receive high-quality maternal health services even as the pandemic continues. We should also push for financial support for women in need and be able to reach out to those who reside in remote areas. We must also address the lack of education by providing these women with relevant information on antenatal care and highlighting its significance in improving the Philippines' maternal mortality rate.
What are the top 3 causes of maternal mortality ratio in the Philippines? Top 3 maternal morbidity?
Top 3 causes of maternal mortality ratio in the Philippines:
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Pregnancy complications,
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Pregnancy-induced hypertension, and
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Hemorrhage
Top 3 causes of maternal morbidity in the Philippines:
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Hemorrhage,
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Infection, and
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Unsafe abortion
References
Chmielewska, B., Barratt, I., Townsend, R., Kalafat, E., van der Meulen, J., Gurol-Urganci, I., … Khalil, A. (2021). Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and perinatal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Global Health, 9(6), e759–e772. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2214-109x(21)00079-6
Daquioag, J. L. (2021, February 11). What causes early pregnancy in the Philippines during the pandemic? Retrieved from NRCP website: https://nrcp.dost.gov.ph/latest-news/683-what-causes-early-pregnancy-in-the-philippines-during-the-pandemic
Lanre-Abass, B. A. (2008). Poverty and maternal mortality in Nigeria: towards a more viable ethics of modern medical practice. International Journal for Equity in Health, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-9276-7-11
Sychareun, V., Vongxay, V., Houaboun, S., Thammavongsa, V., Phummavongsa, P., Chaleunvong, K., & Durham, J. (2018). Determinants of adolescent pregnancy and access to reproductive and sexual health services for married and unmarried adolescents in rural Lao PDR: a qualitative study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-018-1859-1
UNFPA. (2020, August 17). Significant rise in maternal deaths and unintended pregnancies feared because of COVID-19, UNFPA and UPPI study shows - Philippines. Retrieved from ReliefWeb website: https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/significant-rise-maternal-deaths-and-unintended-pregnancies-feared-because-covid#:~:text=MANILA%2C%20the%20Philippines%20%2D%2D%20The,years%2C%20a%20study%20by%20the