Other than the factors discussed in the lecture, what do you think are other factors affecting the maternal mortality rate in the Philippines?
- COVID -19 Pandemic - The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the maternal and newborn health services in the Philippines. According to UNFA (2020), Pregnant women's utilization of facilities for check-ups and delivery declined because of service disruption, difficulty in commuting, and their fear of contracting COVID-19. This lack of checkups led to a significant increase in annual maternal death.
- Low-level use of family planning methods or contraceptives - The lack of family planning and use of contraceptives in families greatly relates to an unplanned pregnancy. According to PSA (2022), One in three births (36 percent) in the Philippines is either unwanted (16 percent) or mistimed (20 percent). Unintended pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of problems for the mom and baby (CDC, 2020), thus, contributing to the higher maternal mortality rate in the Philippines.
- Poverty - Poverty prevents pregnant women from getting proper and adequate medical attention due to their inability to afford good antenatal care. This lack of care ultimately contributes to the increase in maternal mortality rate in the Philippines.
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 (Philippine Health Statistics, 2019)
- Eclampsia -16%
- Gestational hypertension with significant proteinuria - 14.7%
- Other maternal diseases classifiable elsewhere but complicating pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium - 10.5%
Top 3 Maternal Morbidity (Baccay, 2022)
- Hemorrhage -31%
- Infection -19%
- Unsafe abortion - 16%
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, June 28). Unintended pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/unintendedpregnancy/index.htm
Baccay, K.B. (2022). Prenatal Care and Safe Motherhood Lecture Video PART I. VLE. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SXIWQpPevbtDjGVAOOlWiDtyE9CqJskQ/view
Philippine Statistics Authority. (2008). One in three births in the Philippines is unplanned. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://psa.gov.ph/article/one-three-births-philippines-unplanned
UNFPA Philippines. (2020, August 15). Significant rise in maternal deaths and unintended pregnancies feared because of COVID-19, UNFPA and Uppi Study shows. UNFPA Philippines. Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://philippines.unfpa.org/en/news/significant-rise-maternal-deaths-and-unintended-pregnancies-feared-because-covid-19-unfpa-and