Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2026

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Estimating maternal mortality in Monseñor Nouel Province, Dominican Republic
Wayne W Westhoff1, Ercilia R Calcano, Robert J McDermott
1Department of Global Health, University of South Florida College of Public Health, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Objectives:
Maternal deaths are estimated by the World Health Organization at over 500,000 annually. Various methods of calculating mortality ratios have been utilized throughout the world, but many are inaccurate. The purpose of this study was to measure maternal mortality by using a sibling survivorship survey and by recording and tracking death certificates.
Methods:
The data for the survey were collected within a specific province in the Dominican Republic that represents predominately rural communities. Interviews with 2,180 women and data from their 17,807 siblings were recorded, 9,723 of which were sisters. The Death Certificate data were obtained by tracking 3,430 records at the local government office in the same province.
Results:
The results from the rural sibling survey show a maternal mortality ratio significantly higher than other national estimates (348/100,000 live births versus 72-250/100,000). Data collection methods are discussed, including government record keeping and potential sources of inaccuracy.
Conclusion:
Reported maternal mortality ratios may not portray the true magnitude of the poor health status of women in developing countries.
Related Concept Videos
Estimating Population Mean with Unknown Standard Deviation
William S. Gosset (1876–1937) of the Guinness...
Estimating Population Standard Deviation
Estimating Population Mean with Known Standard Deviation
The confidence interval estimate will have the form as follows:
(point estimate - error bound, point estimate + error bound)
The...
Population Growth
Prevalence and Incidence
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health condition at a...
Distributions to Estimate Population Parameter

