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Other than the factors discussed in the lecture, what do you think are other factors affecting maternal mortality rate in the Philippines?
Complication related to pregnancy, Hypertension, Hemorrhage, Unsafe abortion are those identified major conributing factors that affects the high maternal mortality rate in our country. Aside from these, we should also look at the different factors that arise from the social determinants of health because maternal deaths are still one of the major that is concerning especially in developing countries such as the Philippines.
Rau (2015) discusses other several factors that affects the mortality rate here in our country and one of those is those who seek to traditional birthing attendants who doesnt have proper training and therefore complications might happen and can not be addressed properly. Thus, the insufficient or lack of seeking to a physician, nurse or midwife who has proper training is necessary.
She also added those women in Geographically disadvantaged and isolated areas especially those who are living in poverty to rural areas, as mentioned above they fail to seek for professionals and they are also having children at a very young age and they suffer complications due to underdeveloped body system and lack of knowledge.
In the previous years due to majority of Filipino as Roman Catholics, the low level of contraceptive use is also considered as a factor. It was found that most of the pregnancies are unwanted and fraction of those resulted in abortions. The availability and health education about the use of this contraceptives should be readily accessible to different local health care centers.
The Maternal and Neonatal Program Effort Index in the Philippines also identified direct and indirect factors that affects the maternal mortality rate in the country. Some indirect factors included pre existing medical condition of the mother such as anemia, diabetes, malaria, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which increases the risk of pregnancy complications. Direct factors include those outcomes of medical interventions that the mother is receiving when giving birth such as ectopic pregnancy, embolism, and anesthesia related risks.
As professionals in the allied health care field in coordination with the government, different health care programs that caters the improvement of maternal health must be supported by strong policies, adequate training of health care providers, and logistical services. Once these programs and policies are in place and effectively managed, all women especially those in reproductive age and also children must be ensured equal access to the full range of services
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What are the top 3 causes of maternal mortality ratio in the Philippines? Top 3 maternal morbidity?
The following are the topmost three causes of maternal mortality ratio
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Complications r/t pregnancy such as the course of labor, delivery, and puerperium
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Hypertension complicating pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium
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Postpartum hemorrhage
The following are the topmost three causes of maternal morbidity
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Hemorrhage
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Infection
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Unsafe abortion
References:
Baccay, K.B. (2022). Prenatal Care and Safe Motherhood Lecture Video PART I. VLE. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SXIWQpPevbtDjGVAOOlWiDtyE9CqJskQ/view
Department of Health. (2013). Maternal Deaths by Main Cause. https://doh.gov.ph/Statistics/Maternal-Deaths-By-Main-Cause
Rau, A. (2015). Maternal Mortality in the Philippines. https://borgenproject.org/maternal-mortality-philippines/
The Maternal Health Study. (n.d.). A tool for Maternal Health Advocates: The Maternal and Neonatal Program Effort Index in the Philippines. Retrieved from http://www.policyproject.com/pubs/MNPI/Philippines_MNPI.pdf