Maternal mortality

Each day, more than 800 women die because of pregnancy.

Approximately 303,000 women's lives are lost annually due to complications during pregnancy or after childbirth. The most affected are women living in poverty or in areas affected by a humanitarian crisis.

Definition

Maternal mortality is defined by the World Health Organization as the death of a woman from pregnancy-related causes during pregnancy or within 42 days of pregnancy, expressed as a ratio to 100,000 live births.

(World Health Organization, 2004).

The goal

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 3.1 calls for a reduction in the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to less than 70 per 100 000 births by 2030.

The situation

Country MMR Goal

Kenya 530 70

Burundi 494 70

Tchad 1063 70

South Sudan 1223 70

Tanzania 238 70

Uganda 284 70

DR Congo 547 70

Ethiopia 297 70

Liberia 652 70

Nigeria 1047 70

Sweden 5

USA 21

The three delays model

The strategy and theory of change of the Eezer Initiative to address the challenge of maternal mortality are based on "The Three Delays Model," where the second domain, "transportation," serves as the primary entry point.

The Three Delays Model is a framework used in maternal health to understand and address the factors that contribute to maternal mortality, especially in low-resource settings. It identifies three main delays that can impact a woman's access to timely and appropriate care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. These delays are:

1.Delay in seeking care

This refers to the delay in recognizing the need for medical attention, deciding to seek care, and initiating the journey to a healthcare facility.

Barriers to seeking care may include lack of awareness, cultural beliefs, distance to healthcare facilities, and economic factors.

2. Delay in reaching care

This delay occurs between the decision to seek care and the actual arrival at a healthcare facility. It is influenced by factors such as transportation challenges, inadequate infrastructure, and geographical barriers. Limited access to reliable and timely transportation can significantly impact a woman's ability to reach a healthcare facility promptly.

3. Delay in receiving care

This delay occurs after reaching a healthcare facility and refers to the time it takes for a woman to receive appropriate and effective care. Factors contributing to this delay may include insufficient healthcare staff, inadequate medical supplies and equipment, and systemic issues within the healthcare facility.

By addressing each of these delays, healthcare systems can work to improve maternal health outcomes. Strategies include community education to increase awareness, improving transportation infrastructure, ensuring the availability of skilled healthcare professionals, and enhancing the quality and accessibility of healthcare services. The Three Delays Model provides a framework for understanding the complex factors influencing maternal mortality and helps guide interventions to reduce delays and improve maternal care.

The Eezer approach

The Eezer Initiative addresses the second delay in maternal mortality issues, focusing on developing solutions for safe and affordable transportation between homes and clinics.