Half a Million Women Die per year from Childbirth Complications
Topic: Asia-Pacific
Author: Disabled world
Published: 2008/09/26 - Updated: 2009/01/22
Contents: Summary - Introduction - Main Item - Related Topics
Synopsis: Globally more than half a million women die each year because of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Introduction
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) says around half a million women die each year from complications in childbirth and 10 million more suffer life-long disabilities.Main Item
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) says around half a million women die each year from complications in childbirth and 10 million more suffer life-long disabilities, while the issue of maternal mortality does not get the attention it deserves.
"Globally, more than 500,000 women die each year because of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth," UNICEF said in its Progress for Children report based on surveys carried out between 2005 and 2007.
More than 99 percent of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries, with some 84 percent concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia, UNICEF said.
In the developing world, the risk of death from complications relating to pregnancy and childbirth over the course of a woman's lifetime is 1 in 17, against just 1 in 8,000 in industrialized countries.
The riskiest place to give birth is the west African country of Niger, where the risk is estimated at 1 in 7.
Moreover, for every one woman who dies, another 20 will suffer severe disability for the rest of her life such as fistula which can damage reproductive organs, or severe anemia, said Tessa Wardlaw, the organization's chief of statistics and monitoring. "A maternal death is really the tip of the iceberg."
UNICEF stressed that most maternal deaths are avoidable and that a key way of improving the situation is better health care such as pre- and post-natal care, family planning and HIV testing.
Peter Salama, UNICEF's chief of health, said the issue could not be dissociated from women's overall position in society. "There's no doubt the factors that affect women's rights in countries, whether it's early child marriage, female genital mutilation, attitudes to sexuality, have an impact on women's health," he said. "Maternal mortality and child mortality do not yet receive the attention that the scale of the problem deserves," he added.
Explore Related Topics
1 - Almost 100M Adults Have COPD in China Mainly Due to Smoking and Air Pollution - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is widespread in China with 8.6% of the adult population - almost 100 million people - suffering from the chronic lung disease.
2 - Collective Endeavors Towards Creating an Accessible Kathmandu Valley - First access audit campaign in Kathmandu aimed to promote accessibility as prerequisite for persons with disabilities.
3 - Hong Kong Businesses Support Employees with Disabilities - H.K. Government committed to encouraging employment of persons with disabilities.
4 - People with Disabilities in Hong Kong Twice as Likely to Face Poverty - Almost half of people with disabilities living in Hong Kong live in poverty, more than double the rate for the general population.
5 - Asian Tsunami 2004: SAARC Academia Marks 10th Anniversary - A ten day summit has been organized by academicians of SAARC region universities to mark the 10th anniversary of Tsunami.
Page Information, Citing and Disclaimer
Disabled World is a comprehensive online resource that provides information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility issues. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.
Cite This Page (APA): Disabled world. (2008, September 26 - Last revised: 2009, January 22). Half a Million Women Die per year from Childbirth Complications. Disabled World. Retrieved October 4, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/news/asia/childbirth-deaths-5639.php
Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/news/asia/childbirth-deaths-5639.php">Half a Million Women Die per year from Childbirth Complications</a>: Globally more than half a million women die each year because of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Disabled World provides general information only. Materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified medical care. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.