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Saudi Arabia’s Maternal and Child Health Scenario Interpreted

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Abstract

Background:

Countries in the Arabian Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia, deserve special attention due to the scarcity of information researched and discussed on Maternal and Child Health (MCH). This report focuses on trends in women of reproductive age, children ever born, live births, child mortality, contraception, age at marriage, and fertility rates.

Method:

Data from various censuses conducted from 1992 to 2010 and demographic surveys conducted from 2000 to 2017 were used in this analysis.

Results and discussion:

Over time period, the female population increased in Saudi Arabia. However, the proportion of children, ever-married women, children ever-born, and live births decreased as did child mortality. These changes in maternal and child health dimensions are owing to reforms in the health sector, including health infrastructure, in accordance with the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Conclusions:

A comparatively higher quality of MCH was reported. However, demands and challenges of obstetric, gynecologic, and pediatric care are increasing, thus, strengthening and streamlining in accordance with fertility trends, marital patterns, and child health care is essential, for which primary data collection at regular intervals is a prerequisite.

Significance

Empirical demographic analyses of maternal and child health situations in Saudi Arabia are rare despite the ongoing late demographic transition stage characterized by the adult boom and demographic dividend. Such studies and research contribute to deliberations and discussions leading to policies and interventions to address the increasing needs of maternal and child health; control morbidity and mortality of mothers, infants, and children; and enable gynecologic and obstetric interventions toward reproductive health and thereby building healthier generations.

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Funding

The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University, Riyadh, for its funding of this research through the Research Group No. RGP-329. Other than the authors, this research group includes Dr. Rshood M. Al-Khraif, Dr. Ibrahim Elsegaey, Dr. Abdullah Al-Mutairi, and Ms. Faten Al-Mutairi as team members. The authors thank the Deanship of Scientific Research and RSSU at King Saud University for their technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. King Saud University Center for Population Studies, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Asharaf Abdul Salam

  2. Independent Researcher, Bengaluru, India

    Rajaram Subramanyan Potty

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  1. Asharaf Abdul Salam
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  2. Rajaram Subramanyan Potty
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Contributions

AAS—Conceptualization, compilation of data, analysis, interpretation and writing the manuscript.

RSP—Review, improvements, data handling advices.

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Correspondence to Asharaf Abdul Salam.

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Salam, A.A., Potty, R.S. Saudi Arabia’s Maternal and Child Health Scenario Interpreted. Matern Child Health J 27, 759–765 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-023-03634-3

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