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  • Title: Family planning reduces mortality.
    Author: Barnett B.
    Journal: Netw Res Triangle Park N C; 1994 Feb; 14(3):4-7. PubMed ID: 12287511.
    Abstract:
    The impact of family planning on maternal mortality, the impact of increased contraceptive use in the Matlab subdistrict of Bangladesh, the issue of unwanted pregnancies, barriers to contraception, and integrated services are topics discussed. Family planning can decrease maternal mortality. In developing countries, maternal mortality contributes about 33% of mortality among women of reproductive age. The risk among African women is 1 in 21; for Asian women it is 1 in 54; and for South American women it is 1 in 73. North American women have a maternal mortality risk of only 1 in 6366. Maternal mortality can be reduced by lowering fertility or improving obstetric care. Maternal mortality in countries with little family planning should be lowered first through introduction of family planning. In Matlab subdistrict near Dhaka in Bangladesh, a comparison of maternal mortality was made between women receiving family planning through integrated services and those receiving family planning through standard government programs. Community health workers in the treatment area engaged in home heath visits and referrals as appropriate. Contraceptive prevalence increased from 8% in 1977 to 56% in 1989 in the intervention area; in the comparison areas. Obstetric complications were 57% higher than in the intervention area. Family planning reduced maternal mortality risk through a decreased number of pregnancies and high risk pregnancies. Maternal risk could also be reduced by preventing unwanted pregnancies by 17% in Africa, 33% in Latin America, and 35% in Asia. Maternal mortality could be prevented by putting women in touch with their own childbearing desires and by reducing unsafe abortion. There are an estimated 200,000 maternal deaths annually accounted for by unsafe abortions and their consequences (infection and hemorrhage). Reports from Brazilian women, who have a high abortion complication rate, have revealed that women have not been using contraceptives consistently or correctly. The differences between maternal mortality rates and ratios were pointed out as expressing different risks. Family planning is a cost-effective strategy to reduce maternal mortality, but it is certainly not the only means.
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