International progress on stillbirth reduction: Changes in Stillbirth Rates in Selected Low and Middle-Income...

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Perinatal Epidemiology
• Maternal Health

Background:

• Stillbirth remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in low and middle-income countries.
• Understanding regional trends in stillbirth rates is crucial for targeted public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the trends in stillbirth rates in low and middle-income countries from 2000 to 2021.
• To compare the magnitude of stillbirth rate reductions across different global regions, specifically sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation and the World Health Organization.
• Incorporated data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research.
• Analyzed stillbirth rate changes from 2000 to 2021 across various low and middle-income countries.

Main Results:

• Nearly all evaluated countries showed some reduction in stillbirth rates between 2000 and 2021.
• Asia and Latin America/Caribbean regions demonstrated substantial reductions, with some countries experiencing over 40% decrease.
• Sub-Saharan Africa showed limited progress, with many countries having less than 15% reduction in stillbirth rates.

Conclusions:

• While global efforts have led to some reduction in stillbirths, significant regional disparities persist.
• The findings highlight the urgent need for intensified and tailored interventions in sub-Saharan Africa to address persistent high stillbirth rates.
• Continued monitoring and research are essential to accelerate progress in stillbirth prevention worldwide.