Insights into maternal mortality in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

Abstract

The burden of maternal mortality was found to be high at a provincial hospital in PNG. Most women died of direct causes and experienced delays in care. Strategies to complement current hospital and national policy to reduce maternal mortality and to improve reporting of deaths are needed.

Maternal and newborn health indicators in Papua New Guinea – 2008–2018

“…All three facility-based studies were conducted either at the Modilon General Hospital General Hospital (2012-2013) with estimates for MMR ranging from 68 to 588 per 100,000 live births. 25,27 The only community-based study had an even higher MMR estimate, ranging between 600-900 per 100,000 live births in rural settings. 24 Three of the four studies were based on case notes [24][25][26][27] Neonatal health Neonatal mortality rate (NMR) 1 26 Stillbirth rate 8 [24][25][26][28][29][30][31][32] Reproduction Reproductive health Contraception prevalence rate (CPR) 3 [33][34][35] Obstetric and gynaecological admissions owing to abortions 2 36,37 Pregnancy Maternal health Adolescent birth rate 0 n/a STI prevalence in pregnancy 6 25,[38][39][40][41][42] HIV prevalence in pregnancy 7 25,28,32,35,39,41,43 Malaria prevalence in pregnancy 7 27,29,31,32,[44][45][46] Anaemia prevalence in pregnancy 6 25,29,31,…”

“…31 Antenatal care coverage (ANC) was reported in three studies with a range of 35-80%. 27,47,48 Two of these studies did not indicate the number of the total ANC visits of women during pregnancy, with one that reported the lowest ANC coverage (35% of 52 reviewed cases at Modilon General Hospital) 27 and the other that reported a higher ANC coverage of 55-71% in East Sepik Province. 2007/ 2010.…”

Maternal near‐misses at a provincial hospital in Papua New Guinea: A prospective observational study

“…Moreover, because survival of a woman is often heavily influenced by her life‐threatening condition, her health in general prior to or during pregnancy, as well as the quality of the attending healthcare facility and health workers, rates of maternal mortality ratio (MMR) within the country can vary greatly. For instance, at the Port Moresby General Hospital, the main tertiary hospital in PNG, the MMR is 68/100 000 live births compared to Modilon Hospital in Madang Province on the northern coast of PNG where MMR has remained over 200/100 000 live births in the last decade . While these are individual hospital‐based MMR, national survey data indicate the MMR for PNG in general is much higher and ranges from 565 to 733/100 000 live births…”

Maternal deaths and their impact on children in Papua New Guinea

“…A retrospective study of maternal deaths for the period January 2008 to July 2012 in the main referral hospital in the Madang province in PNG identified 64 maternal deaths. This resulted in a high institutional maternal mortality ratio of 588 deaths per 100,000 live births 25 . Women's fear of hospitals is understandable.…”

“…This resulted in a high institutional maternal mortality ratio of 588 deaths per 100,000 live births. 25 Women's fear of hospitals is understandable.…”