- Other than the factors discussed in the lecture, what do you think are other factors affecting maternal mortality rate in the Philippines?
Other than the factors discussed in the lecture, some other factors that I deem to be significant in the maternal mortality situation in the Philippines are:
- Inadequate and inaccessible healthcare facility - Pregnancy check-ups are seen as a luxury by many pregnant women in marginalized sectors of the country. Although many barangay health centers offer free check-ups, many mothers still refuse to go out of fear that they would not be able to afford the costs that they believe the service will entail.
- Lack of knowledge on sex and pregnancy - The cultural expectation that women keep their virginity until they marry discourages them from disclosing sexual activity or health concerns. This aspect can lead to a lack of educated decision-making and undesired pregnancies, putting their health in danger.
- Teenage pregnancy - Sex education has been a hot topic among conservative thinkers around the country. Many young people are still sexually uneducated. Many people resort to unprotected sex because they are unaware of the serious implications of unprotected teenage sex.
- What are the top 3 causes of maternal mortality ratio in the Philippines? Top 3 maternal morbidity?
According to the Department of Health (2013), the top 3 causes of maternal mortality are (1) labor complications, (2) pregnancy-related hypertension, and (3) postpartum hemorrhage.
As for maternal morbidity, the top 3 causes according to the lecture are (1) hemorrhage, (2) infection, and (3) unsafe abortion.
Reference:
Department of Health [DOH]. (2013, December 9). Maternal Deaths by Main Cause. https://doh.gov.ph/Statistics/Maternal-Deaths-By-Main-Cause