Making Motherhood Safer in Egypt

Published by the Population Reference Bureau in March 2004, this 8-page policy brief describes Egypt's efforts to reduce maternal deaths. Included in this policy brief is an overall history of maternal mortality in Egypt, a description of common models of service delivery in safe motherhood care, and a list of "Lessons Learned".

"Every year about 1,400 Egyptian women and half of their newborns die from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Although this level of maternal mortality (84 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births) is relatively high by international standards, recent evidence suggests that a woman's lifetime risk of dying from maternal causes in Egypt has dropped dramatically, from 1 in 120 to 1 in 250 during the 1990s."

This policy brief asserts that Egypt was able to lower its maternal-mortality rate primarily due to two nationally representative studies conducted less than 10 years apart. Based on these reports, the Egypt Ministry of Health and Population was better able to understand the factors affecting maternal mortality and subsequently change community health behaviour. The Ministry conducted targeted mass media campaigns to encourage families to seek medical care and to increase knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period. They also developed national standards for obstetric and neonatal care and revised the medical school curriculum.

Some of the "Lessons Learned" from Egypt's success include:

• "A national maternal mortality study that provides an estimate of maternal mortality, information on the main medical causes, and avoidable factors contributing to maternal and infant deaths can be used as an important tool in the management of safe motherhood programs.
• Clinical training alone does not change provider attitudes and behaviors. Most providers adopt clinical protocols and master skills after on-the-job training with expert clinical supervisors.
• The success of information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns relies on the intensive use of mass media along with interpersonal communication and community mobilization activities. In addition, the use of nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) to reach remote areas and deliver MOHP messages can contribute to improved community health behaviors."