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Community Based Maternal Death Review: Lessons Learned from Ten Districts in Andhra Pradesh, India

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Abstract

Maternal death is as much a social phenomenon as a medical event. Maternal death review (MDR), a strategy for monitoring maternal deaths, provides information on medical, social and health system factors that should be addressed to redress gaps in service provision or utilisation. To strengthen MDR implementation in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The project involved development of state specific guidelines, technical assistance in operationalization and analysing processes and findings of MDR in ten districts. 284 deaths were recorded over 6 months (April–September 2012) of which 193 (75.4 %) could be reviewed. Post-partum haemorrhage (24 %) and hypertensive disorders (27.4 %) followed by puerperal sepsis in the post-partum period (16.8 %) were the leading causes of maternal deaths. 68.3 % deaths occurred at health facilities. 67 % of mothers dying during the natal or post-natal period, delivered at home, though the death occurred in a health facility. Type 1 delay (58.9 %) was the most common underlying cause of death, followed by type 3 delay (33.3 %). Under or nil reporting from the facilities was observed. Program staff could identify broad areas of intervention but lacked capacity to monitor, analyse, interpret and utilize the generated information to develop feasible actionable plans. Information gathered was incomplete and inaccurate in many cases. Challenges observed showed that it will require more time and continuous committed efforts of health staff for implementation of high quality MDR. Successful implementation will improve the response of the health system and contribute to improved maternal health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indian Institute of Public Health, Public Health Foundation of India, ANV Arcade, 1-Amar Coop Society, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur, Hyderabad, 500033, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Samiksha Singh, Gudlavalleti V. S. Murthy, Anitha Thippaiah, Rajan Shukla & S. R. Srikrishna

  2. UNICEF Office for the States of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, 317/A, MLA Colony, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Sanjeev Upadhyaya

  3. Department of Health and Family Welfare, NRHM Office, Koti, Hyderabad, India

    Murali Krishna

Authors
  1. Samiksha Singh
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  2. Gudlavalleti V. S. Murthy
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  3. Anitha Thippaiah
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  4. Sanjeev Upadhyaya
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  5. Murali Krishna
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  6. Rajan Shukla
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  7. S. R. Srikrishna
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Correspondence to Gudlavalleti V. S. Murthy.

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Singh, S., Murthy, G.V.S., Thippaiah, A. et al. Community Based Maternal Death Review: Lessons Learned from Ten Districts in Andhra Pradesh, India. Matern Child Health J 19, 1447–1454 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-015-1678-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-015-1678-1

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