Where giving birth is a forecast of death: maternal mortality in four districts of Afghanistan, 1999–2002

U.S. Health Diplomacy in Afghanistan: A Development Tool in Health System Reconstruction of a Fragile and Conflict-Affected State

“…In 2002, the infant mortality rate (IMR) was approximately 165 per 1000 live births (Bartlett et al, 2005), with one in four children dying before their fifth birthday (Mathers et al, 2004 (Acerra et al, 2009). Moreover, gender segregation policies had prohibited women from receiving education beyond primary school (Faiz, 1997).…”

Millennium Development Goal 5: Afghanistan in Focus

“…Protracted civil war and invasion from outside powers Afghanistan slowly started to rebuild to improve some of the world's poorest health indicators [24]: highest under-5 mortality rates and extremely high MMR of 1600 per 100,000 live-births [8].…”

“…An estimated MMR of 1,600-2,200 were reported [8] which translates to an extremely high lifetime risk of one in seven maternal mortalities.…”

“…Severe paucity of maternal and child services led majority of women, even in Kabul, to have a home birth without skilled birth attendants (SBAs) [8]. In 2002, 9% women had SBA, 8% received prenatal care and caesarean sections were performed in 10% of the hospitals [21].…”

“…In 2002, 9% women had SBA, 8% received prenatal care and caesarean sections were performed in 10% of the hospitals [21]. Also, Badakshan, an area in Northern Province reported the highest recorded MMR of 6,500 [8]. In terms of maternal mortality, Afghanistan's extremely …”