Maternal mortality: a cross-sectional study in global health
Sima Sajedinejad1, Reza Majdzadeh2,3, AbouAli Vedadhir4
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran. sima.amis@gmail.com.
Globalization and Health
|April 19, 2015
Summary
Reducing maternal mortality requires addressing macrostructural factors like education, private sector engagement, and governance, not just individual determinants. Sustainable reductions depend on multi-faceted development and global cooperation.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Development Studies
- Public Policy
Background:
- Maternal mortality remains a significant global health challenge, with current reduction programs showing limited success.
- Individual-focused interventions alone are insufficient for substantial maternal mortality reduction.
- Macrostructural factors at a global level play a crucial, yet often overlooked, role in maternal mortality rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze distant macrostructural factors influencing maternal mortality globally.
- To provide evidence for more effective, broader strategies beyond individual-level interventions.
- To inform sustainable development agendas by understanding the determinants of maternal mortality.
Main Methods:
- A global dataset was compiled, and 439 relevant indicators were selected.
- Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess relationships with maternal mortality, applying strict statistical criteria.
- Factor analysis and multiple regression analysis were employed to identify key macrostructural determinants.
Main Results:
- Education, private sector and trade, and governance emerged as the most significant macrostructural factors associated with lower maternal mortality.
- Other critical factors included employment structure, economic policy, agriculture, private sector investment, and health finance.
- These identified distal factors collectively explained approximately 65% of the variation in maternal mortality across countries.
Conclusions:
- Sustainable maternal mortality reduction necessitates addressing macrostructural determinants, including political will, resource reallocation, education, private sector development, and improved governance.
- Long-term planning for multi-faceted development is essential for sustainable reductions in maternal mortality.
- Global determinants such as trade, debt, and political stability influence national maternal mortality rates, highlighting the need for international collaboration.
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