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Estimating pregnancy-related mortality from census data: experience in Latin America
Kenneth Hill1, Bernardo L Queiroz, Laura Wong
1Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA. kenneth_hill@harvard.edu
Bulletin of the World Health Organization
|June 25, 2009
Summary
National population censuses can estimate maternal mortality in countries with poor death registration. While methods showed promise, uncertainty remains for more challenging settings.
Area of Science:
- Demography
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Accurate maternal mortality data is crucial for public health interventions.
- Many countries lack reliable birth and death registration systems.
- National population censuses offer a potential data source.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of using national population censuses to measure maternal mortality.
- To evaluate census data quality for demographic analysis in Latin America.
Main Methods:
- Utilized demographic techniques like the general growth balance method.
- Evaluated completeness and coverage of census household death and birth data.
- Calculated pregnancy-related mortality ratios (PRMRs) as a proxy for maternal mortality.
Main Results:
- PRMRs were estimated for Honduras (168), Nicaragua (95), and Paraguay (178) per 100,000 live births.
- Adjustments were needed for over/underreporting of adult deaths in Nicaragua, Paraguay, and Honduras.
- Adjusted estimates aligned with existing maternal mortality data, with source-dependent variations.
Conclusions:
- Census data can serve as a proxy for maternal mortality measurement where death registration is poor.
- Method applicability in less statistically robust environments requires further investigation.
- Data evaluation and adjustment methods introduced uncertainty that needs quantification.
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