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Updated: Apr 17, 2026
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A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
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Reducing maternal morbidity and mortality in the developing world: a simple, cost-effective example.
Andrew Browning1, Birhanu Menber2
1Maternity Africa, Arusha, Tanzania ; Vision Maternity Care, Barhirdar, Ethiopia.
International Journal of Women'S Health
|February 14, 2015
Summary
Volunteer teams significantly improved rural Ethiopian obstetric services. Maternal mortality and morbidity decreased substantially, demonstrating the effectiveness of this intervention for enhancing maternal healthcare.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Public Health Interventions
Background:
- Rural Ethiopian hospitals often lack essential obstetric services.
- Mota district hospital served 1.2 million people with limited obstetric care prior to the intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of volunteer obstetrician and midwife teams on obstetric services.
- To evaluate changes in maternal mortality and morbidity in a rural Ethiopian hospital.
Main Methods:
- Prospective analysis of delivery data over a 3-year period.
- Establishment of emergency obstetric care by volunteer teams.
- Training and supervision of local healthcare staff.
Main Results:
- Hospital deliveries increased by 40%.
- Maternal mortality decreased from 7.1% to less than 0.5%.
- Obstetric fistula rates reduced from 1.5% to 0.5% of deliveries.
Conclusions:
- Volunteer teams effectively reduced maternal mortality and morbidity.
- The improvements were sustained after the project transitioned to government management.
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