Maternal Mortality in South Africa: 2001 Census Analysis
Author Information
Author(s): Garenne Michel, McCaa Robert, Nacro Kourtoum
Primary Institution: French Institute for Research and Development (IRD) and Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
Hypothesis
What are the levels and differentials of maternal mortality in South Africa as assessed through the 2001 census?
Conclusion
Maternal mortality in South Africa increased dramatically by 2001, primarily due to HIV/AIDS and indirect causes.
Supporting Evidence
- The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) was estimated at 542 per 100,000 live births.
- Indirect causes of maternal deaths were found to be more significant than direct obstetric causes.
- High levels of adult mortality were linked to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
- Maternal deaths accounted for only 6.4% of total deaths among women aged 15-49.
Takeaway
This study looked at how many mothers died during childbirth in South Africa in 2001, finding that many deaths were linked to HIV/AIDS.
Methodology
The study used a microdata sample from the 2001 South African census to estimate maternal mortality levels and differentials.
Potential Biases
Potential biases include overestimation of deaths due to the recall period and imputation methods.
Limitations
The estimates may be off by 10% or more due to biases in data collection and imputation.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on women aged 15-49 years in South Africa.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0005
Confidence Interval
497-591
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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