Title: [Beneficial interventions for maternal mortality prevention in the prenatal period]

POPLINE Document Number: 315029

Author(s):

Calderon I
Cecatti JG
Vega CE

Source citation:

Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetricia, 2006 May;28(5):310-315.

Abstract:

Maternal mortality rate (MM) is a health quality indicator that is directly influenced by the economic, cultural and technological level of a country. Official data of MM in Brazil, although underestimated, point to the lack of quality in pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium care services. This characteristic is common in developing countries, where poorer pregnant women as well as those facing greater difficulty to quality care access are found. Prenatal care cannot prevent major childbirth complications, which are important causes of MM; however, some interventions during the prenatal period can favor maternal prognosis and prevent MM. In this setting, this study brings a scientifically based update concerning effective interventions for maternal mortality prevention during the prenatal period. The most important strategies consist of a tripod with specific interventions related to maternal health promotion, risk prevention and assurance of nutritional support during gestation, in addition to criteria to investigate gestational risk and inclusion of the pregnant woman in the basic component of the prenatal care model. It ends with the definition of priorities in the prevention of MM related to eclampsia/preeclampsia and reinforces the importance of normalization of reference systems for obstetric emergency cases. (author's)

Keywords:

Brazil
Literature Review
Pregnant Women
Antenatal Care
Maternal Mortality
Interventions
Maternal Health Services
Program Accessibility
Maternal Nutrition
Preventive Health Care
South America, Eastern
South America
Latin America
Americas
Developing Countries
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Maternal-Child Health Services
Primary Health Care
Health Services
Delivery of Health Care
Health
Mortality
Population Dynamics
Programs
Organization and Administration
Program Evaluation
Nutrition