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Published on: April 7, 2023
Maternal mortality surveillance in Jamaica
A McCaw-Binns1, J L M Lindo, K N Lewis-Bell
1Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. affette.mccawbinns@uwimona.edu.jm
Summary
Maternal death reporting in Jamaica improved to 80% by 2000, but challenges remain. Factors like lack of postmortems and early pregnancy deaths hinder complete surveillance for maternal mortality.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Maternal Health
Background:
- Maternal deaths became a Class I notifiable event in Jamaica in 1998.
- Continuous maternal mortality surveillance was introduced concurrently.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess factors associated with under-reporting of maternal deaths in Jamaica.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the maternal mortality surveillance system from 1998 to 2003.
Main Methods:
- Compared notified maternal deaths with independently identified deaths.
- Analyzed reporting consistency across regions.
- Gathered insights from key informants on the surveillance process.
Main Results:
- Reporting reached approximately 80% by 2000, with better consistency in two regions.
- Active surveillance and maternal mortality committees improved reporting.
- Non-reporting linked to no postmortem, early pregnancy deaths, and time intervals.
Conclusions:
- Active hospital surveillance requires inclusion of all departments, including emergency.
- Community surveillance should involve forensic pathologists.
- National leadership is crucial for trend analysis, policy, and technical support.
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