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

Abstract

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is the most populous country in the Pacific with more than 9 million people. Difficult terrain, poor roads and limited infrastructure mean providing effective health careespecially in rural areas, where most people liveis challenging. Women and newborns in PNG experience high rates of preventable morbidity and mortality; however, reliable data are often limited or unavailable. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of research on key maternal and neonatal health (MNH) indicators conducted approximately over the past 11 years in PNG comparing research findings to global MNH estimates of the indicators. There was considerable variation in mortality indicators (maternal mortality ratio, neonatal mortality rate and stillbirth) reported across studies in PNG. Mortality was generally higher in rural areas. Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in pregnancy were consistently high, while anaemia in pregnancy, preterm birth and low birth weight varied widely between studies and settings. Breastfeeding seems to have been under-researched. There was a lack of data available on other indicators such as the adolescent birth rate, postnatal care provided to women and newborns, intermittent preventative treatment to prevent malaria in pregnancy and treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Studies demonstrate the high burden of preventable maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality across PNG. Efforts to improve MNH outcomes need to be escalated.

Factors associated with early antenatal care attendance among women in Papua New Guinea: a population‐based cross‐sectional study

“…From these numbers, the greater percentage (99 %) occur in LMICs [ 1 , 7 ]. Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one of the Asian Pacific countries with the highest maternal mortality ratios [ 8 , 9 ] and the major causes of these deaths are obstetric haemorrhage, sepsis, embolism, eclampsia and unsafe abortion [ 8 ]. Some of these complications can be detected through early initiation of ANC.…”

Perinatal death audit and classification of stillbirths in two provinces in Papua New Guinea: A retrospective analysis

“…With a severe health workforce shortage, particularly in maternal and newborn health, 11,12 the majority of maternity care is provided by nurses or community health workers, who often have limited midwifery skills and knowledge. Maternal and perinatal mortality rates originate primarily from hospital settings, and a recent report indicates the stillbirth rate to be between 20‐30 per 1000 live births 13 . Although some hospitals have conducted audits to review factors contributing to stillbirths, there is currently no systematic approach to classifying, investigating, or reporting stillbirths in PNG except for classifying deaths as “fresh” or “macerated”.…”

“…Maternal and perinatal mortality rates originate primarily from hospital settings, and a recent report indicates the stillbirth rate to be between [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] per 1000 live births. 13 Although some hospitals have conducted audits to review factors contributing to stillbirths, there is currently no systematic approach to classifying, investigating, or reporting stillbirths in PNG except for classifying deaths as "fresh" or "macerated".…”

Mycoplasma genitalium and Other Reproductive Tract Infections in Pregnant Women, Papua New Guinea, 2015–2017

“…Ultrasound machines for gestational age assessment are largely inaccessible because of scarcity, cost, and location. The estimated prevalence of low birthweight (weight <2.5 kg) ranges from 10%-24% and preterm birth from 7%-18% (19). Papua New Guinea has a high perinatal death rate of 17 deaths/1,000 pregnancies (19).…”

“…The estimated prevalence of low birthweight (weight <2.5 kg) ranges from 10%-24% and preterm birth from 7%-18% (19). Papua New Guinea has a high perinatal death rate of 17 deaths/1,000 pregnancies (19). Curable STIs are common; rates of C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, T. vaginalis, and T. pallidum infections exceed those of other high-prevalence regions such as sub-Saharan Africa (1,20).…”