Other than the factors discussed in the lecture, what do you think are other factors affecting maternal mortality rate in the Philippines?
Other factors that may be affecting maternal mortality rate in the Philippines are:
Quality of maternal care - Improving the quality of maternal and child care nationwide which focuses on antenatal care, facility deliveries and skilled birth attendance improves maternal and newborn mortality rates (Goyet et al., 2019). However in the Philippines, not all healthcare workers can provide the same amount of quality care. This is made even worse if they are understaffed, overworked and underpaid. The lack of resources and technology in the country are also a factor.
Accessibility of maternal care - not all places in the country have access to public hospitals, lying in clinics or health care professionals.
Lack of preconception care - recent studies now show that gestational complications may be prevented if certain environmental factors are modified prior to conception(Genius S. & Genius R., 2016). Unfortunately, I think not many families are aware or practicing this.
What are the top 3 causes of maternal mortality ratio in the Philippines? Top 3 maternal morbidity?
According to the 2019 Philippine Health Statistics by the Epidemiology bureau of the DOH, Eclampsia was the leading cause of maternal death, comprising 16% of all maternal deaths. Gestational hypertension with significant proteinuria follows with 14.3%, and other maternal diseases classifiable elsewhere but complicating pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium recorded 10.5% of total maternal deaths. On the other hand, the top 3 maternal morbidity in the Philippines are (1) Hemorrhage, comprising 31%, (2) Infection with 35%, and (3) Unsafe abortion with 16%.
REFERENCES:
Baccay, K.B. (2022). Prenatal Care and Safe Motherhood Lecture Video PART I. VLE. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SXIWQpPevbtDjGVAOOlWiDtyE9CqJskQ/view
Epidemiology Bureau - Department of Health. (n.d.). The 2019 Philippine Health Statistics. Department of Health. https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/publications/2019PHS_Final_092121.pdf
Genuis, S. J., & Genuis, R. A. (2016). Preconception Care: A New Standard of Care within Maternal Health Services. BioMed Research International, 2016, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/6150976
Goyet, S., Broch-Alvarez, V., & Becker, C. (2019). Quality improvement in maternal and newborn healthcare: lessons from programmes supported by the German development organisation in Africa and Asia. BMJ Global Health, 4(5), e001562. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001562