Estimating maternal mortality and causes in South Africa: national and provincial levels

maternal mortality estimates for South Africa have methodological weaknesses. This study uses the Growth Balance Method to adjust reported household female deaths and pregnancy-related deaths and the relational Gompertz model to adjust reported number of live births and estimate maternal mortality in South Africa at national and provincial level; examines the potential impact of HIV/AIDS prevalence; and investigates the recorded direct causes of maternal mortality.

data from the 2001 Census, 2007 Community Survey and death registrations were utilised. Information on household deaths, including pregnancy-related deaths was collected from the aforementioned census and survey.

enumerated households in the 2001 Census and a nationally representative sample of 250,348 households in the 2007 Community Survey.

information about members of households who died in the preceding 12 months was collected, and of these deaths whether there were women aged 15-49 who died while pregnant or within 42 days after childbirth.

maternal mortality ratio of 764 per 100,000 live births in 2007, ranging from 102 per 100,000 live births in the Western Cape province to 1639 in the Eastern Cape. Maternal infections and parasitic diseases as well as other maternal diseases complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium are the major causes. The study found a weak correlation between provincial HIVprevalence and maternal mortality ratio.

despite strategies to improve maternal and child health, maternal mortality remains high in South Africa and it is unlikely that the Millennnium Developmemnt Goal of reducing maternal will be achieved.