Maternal mortality in India: an update

Area of Science:

• Demography
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Maternal mortality remains a critical public health issue in India.
• Accurate estimation of maternal mortality is essential for effective policy interventions.
• Indirect estimation methods offer valuable insights where direct data is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate maternal mortality in India using two indirect methods: the sisterhood method and a regression method based on sex differentials in adult mortality.
• To compare these estimates with existing data from various sources.
• To explore socioeconomic, spatial, and temporal variations in maternal mortality.

Main Methods:

• Sisterhood method applied to 1994 rural human development survey data.
• Regression method using India's Sample Registration System (SRS) mortality and fertility data.
• Comparison with direct estimates from National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and SRS.

Main Results:

• Sisterhood method yielded maternal mortality estimates approximately 15% lower for the early 1980s compared to the regression method.
• Regression method estimates for the 1990s showed consistency with direct estimates from NFHS and SRS.
• Analysis revealed socioeconomic differentials and spatial/temporal variations in maternal mortality.

Conclusions:

• Indirect methods provide valuable, albeit sometimes differing, estimates of maternal mortality in India.
• The regression method appears more consistent with direct estimates for recent periods.
• Understanding variations is crucial for targeted maternal health strategies.