Other than the factors discussed in the lecture, what do you think are other factors affecting maternal mortality rate in the Philippines?
- Low economic status: About 75% of the poorest quintile rely on traditional birthing attendants to help them through pregnancy and are often unable to deal with complications which greatly contributes to maternal mortality rate (Rau, 2015). In addition, recent national survey has shown that the use of maternal and child health services still remains pro-rich and thus, the poor cannot afford complete antenatal care, facility-based deliveries, and caesarean deliveries (Paredes, 2016).
- Teenage pregnancy: Early marriage, a traditional practice observed in some parts of the Philippines, can increase the maternal mortality rate of the country. Girls Not Brides reports that more than 800, 000 Filipinas were married before they were 18 years old. Since the bodies of adolescent women are still growing and developing, they are at increased risk of developing complications putting their self and babies at risk for adverse health outcomes.
- Low level of contraceptive use: Since Philippines is considered to be a conservative country, condoms, birth control pills, and other contraceptives are likened to abortion. This may lead to unplanned pregnancies which can cause women to resort to abortion which is the 4th leading cause of maternal mortality rate in the country.
- Regional disparities: According to National Demographic and Health Survey and 2006 Family Planning Survey, in NCR, 90% of births are supervised by a skilled birth attendant while it is only 24% of births in ARMM. This can be attributed to inaccessibility and lack of personnel which are further exacerbated by the three-decade armed conflict in the region.
- COVID-19 Pandemic: Due to the needed response for the pandemic, attention and resources for women’s health may have been diverted. Because of this, the utilization of facilities for antenatal check-up and delivery has been declining due to service disruption, difficulty in commuting, and their fear of contracting COVID-19 (UNFPA, 2020).
What are the top 3 causes of maternal mortality ratio in the Philippines? Top 3 maternal morbidity?
Maternal Mortality (DOH, 2010)
1. Complications related to pregnancy occurring in the course of labor, delivery, and puerperium (38.4%)
2. Hypertension complicating pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium (35.2%)
3. Postpartum Hemorrhage (17.3%)
Maternal Morbidity
1. Hemorrhage (31%)
2. Infection (19%)
3. Unsafe Abortion (16%)
References:
DOH (2013). Maternal Deaths by Main Cause. doh.gov.ph. Retrieved March 14, 2022 from https://doh.gov.ph/Statistics/Maternal-Deaths-By-Main-Cause
Paredes, K.P.P. 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?. Int J Equity Health 15, 181 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-016-0473-y
Rau (2015). Maternal Mortality in the Philippines. borgenproject.org. Retrieved March 14, 2022 from https://borgenproject.org/maternal-mortality-philippines/
UNFPA (2009). Philippines: Maternal Mortality Rates Not Making Sufficient Progress to Meet MDGs. unfpa.org. Retrieved March 14, 2022 from https://www.unfpa.org/news/philippines-maternal-mortality-rates-not-making-sufficient-progress-meet-mdgs
UNFPA (2020). Significant rise in maternal deaths and unintended pregnancies feared because of COVID-19, UNFPA and UPPI study shows. philippines.unfpa.org. Retrieved March 14, 2022 from https://philippines.unfpa.org/en/news/significant-rise-maternal-deaths-and-unintended-pregnancies-feared-because-covid-19-unfpa-and