Introdução: A mortalidade materna é um grande problema de Saúde Pública no Brasil e no mundo. Atinge muitas mulheres e representa um indicador de pobreza e iniquidade social. Objetivo: Analisar as mortes maternas ocorridas no município de São Paulo em uma série histórica de 2000 a 2008. Métodos: Estudo ecológico, que analisou os óbitos maternos ocorridos em residentes do município de São Paulo entre os anos de 2000 a 2008. Foram utilizados dados das Declarações de Óbito e dos relatórios do Comitê de Mortalidade Materna. O mapa de exclusão/inclusão social e as áreas homogêneas dos 96 distritos administrativos foram utilizados como unidades de análise. Foram calculadas as razões de mortalidade materna, o percentual de subnotificação de causas maternas declaradas e fator de correção. Foram analisadas as causas que ocultavam os óbitos maternos. A análise de tendência da mortalidade para o município foi realizada por meio de modelos de regressão polinomial e a para análise de correlação utilizou-se o teste de correlação de Pearson. Foi considerado o nível de significância de 5 por cento (p<0,05). Para análise do preenchimento das variáveis 43 e 44, as Declarações de óbito foram localizadas no arquivo morto da Prefeitura Municipal. Resultados: Ocorreram 877 óbitos. A Razão de Mortalidade Materna (RMM) foi de 53,2 óbitos/100.000 Nascidos Vivos. A série histórica apresentou tendência decrescente estatisticamente significativa, com redução de 1,73 ao ano. As menores RMM foram encontradas nas áreas homogêneas de menor exclusão social, e as maiores, nas áreas de maior exclusão. As áreas mais excluídas apresentaram risco de morte materna aproximadamente três vezes maior que na área menos excluída. A correlação de Pearson revelou moderada correlação negativa entre a RMM e o índice de exclusão/inclusão global (-0,37), o índice de desenvolvimento humano (-0,40) e de autonomia (-0,36). As principais causas de morte materna foram as obstétricas indiretas. O percentual médio de subnotificação das causas maternas foi de 45,38 por cento, e o fator de correção médio foi 1,83. Destacou-se o grande percentual de causas mal definidas declaradas. Entre 2004 a 2006, 43,4 por cento das declarações apresentaram os campos 43 e 44 preenchidos corretamente. A maioria das declarações apresentou três diagnósticos informados. Conclusões: A RMM mostrou relação com as condições socioeconômicas. É necessário maior investimento em treinamentos para o correto preenchimento das Declarações de óbito. É necessário a implementação mais efetiva de ações de saúde voltadas para a mortalidade materna / Background: Maternal mortality is a big problem of public health in Brazil and in the world. Affects many women and is an indicator of poverty and social inequity. Objective: To analyse maternal deaths occurred in the city of São Paulo in a series from 2000 to 2008. Methods: Ecologic study, which analyzed maternal deaths that occurred among residents of city of São Paulo during the years 2000 to 2008. Data were used from deaths certificates and reports of the Committee on Maternal Mortality. The map of social inclusion/exclusion and homogeneous areas of the 96 districts were used as units of analysis. We calculated maternal mortality ratios, the percentage of underreporting of maternal causes and the correction factor. We analyzed the causes that hid maternal deaths. The analysis of trends in mortality for the city was conducted using polynomial regression models and for correlation analysis used the test of correlation of Pearson. It was considered the significance level of 5 per cent (p<0,05). For examination of completing the variables 43 and 44, the deaths certificates were located in the archive of the city. Results: There were 877 deaths. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) was 53,2/100.000 live births. The series showed trend decreasing statistically significant, with a decrease of 1,73 per year. The lower MMR were found in homogeneous areas with lower social exclusion and higher than areas with higher exclusion. Areas most excluded showed risk of maternal deaths about three times higher than in area less excluded. The correlation of Pearson showed moderate negative correlation between MMR and index inclusion/exclusion overall (-0,37), the index of human development (-0,40) and the index of autonomy (-0,36). The main causes of maternal deaths were obstetric indirect. The mean percentage of underreporting of maternal causes was 45,38 per cent , and the correction factor medium was 1,83. We emphasize the high percentage of illdefined causes declared. During 2004 and 2006, 43,4 per cent of the declarations presented fields 43 and 44 filled in correctly. Most declarations presented three diagnoses listed. Conclusion: The MMR showed relationship with socioeconomic conditions. It is necessary greater investment in training for correct completion of death certificates. It is necessary the implementation more effective heath actions to maternal mortality

A mortalidade materna representa um evento de grande magnitude e transcendência que impacta negativamente à saúde no Brasil e no mundo. Integra o campo dos direitos humanos, sexuais e reprodutivos. Este estudo teve como objetivo geral caracterizar as razões de mortalidade materna no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, entre o período de 1999 a 2008. Entre os objetivos específicos, a análise da RMM e RMME para as variáveis sociodemográficas, período de ocorrência e causa obstétrica do RS e das sete macrorregiões do Estado, no mesmo período; a distribuição espacial da RMM nos anos de 1999, 2003 e 2008 do RS nas macrorregiões e a verificação da mortalidade materna a partir do Programa de Humanização no Pré-Natal e Nascimento no RS. O estudo é do tipo ecológico, série temporal de agregado humano. A população foi de 845 óbitos maternos em mulheres entre 10 e 49 anos, ocorridos no Estado do RS no período de 1999 a 2008. As variáveis foram coletadas do SIM e do SINASC e, a partir deles, foram calculadas as RMM e as RMME, sendo analisadas por meio de regressão de Poisson com seus intervalos de confiança de 95%; no modelo de regressão, o ano foi usado como variável explicativa. Foram apresentados os valores do exponencial dos coeficientes, que mostram a variação nas razões de mortalidade materna no período analisado, juntamente com os seus respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% e o valor-P do teste de Wald. Foram elaborados gráficos para análise de tendência, utilizando médias móveis da RMM para o Estado do RS. A distribuição espacial foi por meio da visualização da mortalidade materna nas macrorregiões do Estado do RS, nos anos de 1999, 2003 e 2008. Os principais resultados mostraram que a morte materna no Estado manteve-se com pouca oscilação nos dez anos de estudo e com valores acima do preconizado pela OMS. As macrorregiões identificadas com maiores valores da RMM são a Centro-Oeste, Norte e Serra. As características para morte materna são de mulheres acima de 30 anos de idade, com baixa escolaridade, menos de três anos de estudo e de cor/raça branca. Entre as características obstétricas do óbito, observou-se que no período da gestação/parto/aborto até 42 dias encontrou-se o maior período de risco, assim como as causas obstétricas diretas são a maioria. E, entre estas causas, a hipertensão arterial e a hemorragia estão entre os principais motivos de óbito materno no RS. Portanto, este estudo mostrou um panorama da saúde materna no Estado do RS e de suas macrorregiões, ficando claro que ao longo dos anos deste estudo não houve melhora do indicador, indicando que as políticas públicas, como PHPN, não impactaram na saúde materna e reprodutiva das mulheres. Esses resultados nos remetem a repensar o sistema e o atendimento de saúde da mulher, especialmente na atenção ao pré-natal. A morte materna é um evento que não pode esperar; a proteção da vida das mulheres em idade reprodutiva é um dever do Estado e uma obrigação dos profissionais que atendem essas mulheres. / Maternal mortality represents an event of major magnitude and transcendence that negatively impacts health in Brazil, as well as all over the world. It encompasses human, sexual and reproductive rights. The general purpose of this study was characterizing the ratios for maternal mortality in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) between 1999 and 2008. The specific purpose is the analysis of MMR and SMMR for sociodemographic variables, period of occurrence and obstetric cause in all the state and its seven macro-regions along the same period; spatial distribution of MMR in 1999, 2003 and 2008 of RS in the macro-regions, and the monitoring done on maternal mortality by the Humanization Program of Prenatal Period and Birth in the state (HPPB). The type of this study is ecological, time series of human aggregate. The population/sample was of 845 maternal deaths of women between 10 and 49 years of age, happened in RS between 1999 and 2008. Variables were collected from the System of Information on Mortality and the System of Information on Live Births, and based on them, the MMR and SMMR have been calculated through Poisson regression with confidence intervals of 95%; in the regression model, where the year was used as an explicative variable. The exponential values of the coefficients were presented, showing the variation in the ratios for maternal mortality in the period analyzed, as well as with its respective confidence intervals of 95% and the p-value of the Wald test. Graphs were designed for tendency analysis using moving averages of the MMR for the state of RS. Spatial distribution was done through the visualization of maternal mortality in the macroregions of RS in 1999, 2003 and 2008. The most relevant results show that maternal mortality in this state has not oscillated much in the ten years of the study, with rates higher than those recommended by WHO. The macro-regions identified with the highest MMR values are the Mid-West, North and Hilly Region. Characteristics related to maternal mortality are: women above 30 years of age, with poor education (less than three years) and white. Regarding the obstetric characteristics of the death, it has been observed that in the period of gestation/delivery/abortion up to 42 days was the period with the greater risk, and direct obstetric causes prevail. Among these causes, blood hypertension and hemorrhage are among the main reasons for maternal death in RS. Therefore, this study shows an outlook of maternal health in the State of RS and its macro-regions, making it obvious that along these years there has not been an improvement in this indicator, thus suggesting that public policies such as HPPB have not impacted maternal and reproductive health of women. These results recommend us to rethink the system of assistance to women’s health, especially regarding the prenatal period. Maternal death is an event which cannot be overlooked; protecting women’s lives in reproductive age is a duty of the State and an obligation of the professionals who assist these women. / La mortalidad materna representa un evento de gran magnitud y trascendencia que repercute negativamente en la salud del Brasil y en el mundo. Se integra el campo de los derechos humanos, sexuales y reproductivos. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar las razones de mortalidad materna en el estado de Rio Grande do Sul, entre el período 1999 a 2008. Entre los objetivos específicos, el análisis de la RMM y el RMME por las variables sociodemográficas, el tiempo de ocurrencia y causa obstétrica de RS y siete regiones geográficas del estado, en el mismo período, la distribución espacial de la SPR en 1999, 2003 y 2008 del RS en la macro regiones y la verificación de la mortalidad materna por el Programa de Humanización del Prenatal y Nacimiento en la RS. El estudio es del tipo ecológico, de series de tiempo de agregación humana. La población era de 845 muertes maternas en mujeres de entre 10 y 49 años de edad en el estado de RS en el período 1999 a 2008. Las variables se recogieron en la tarjeta SIM y SINASC, y de ellos se calcularon MMR y RMME se utilizó la regresión de Poisson con intervalos de confianza de 95% en el modelo de regresión, el año se utilizó como variable explicativa. Se presentan los valores de los coeficientes exponenciales, mostrando la variación en tasas de mortalidad materna en el período analizado, junto con sus respectivos intervalos de confianza de 95% y el valor de P de la prueba de Wald. Se prepararon tablas de análisis de tendencias, utilizando medias móviles de la vacuna MMR para el estado de RS. La distribución espacial fue a través de la visualización de la mortalidad materna en las regiones geográficas del estado de RS, en 1999, 2003 y 2008. Los principales resultados mostraron que la mortalidad materna en el estado se mantuvo con pocas variaciones en los diez años de estudio y por encima de los valores recomendados por la OMS. Las macro regiones identificadas con los valores más altos de la RMM son el medio oeste y el norte de la Sierra. Las características de las muertes maternas corresponden a mujeres de más de 30 años de edad, bajo nivel educativo, menos de tres años de estudio y de color blanco / carrera. Entre las características obstétricas de defunción, se observó que durante el embarazo / parto / aborto hasta 42 días se reunió con el periodo de mayor riesgo, así como las causas obstétricas directas son la mayoría. Y entre estas causas, la hipertensión y las hemorragias son las principales causas de muerte materna en la República Srpska. Por lo tanto, este estudio mostró una foto de la salud materna en el estado de RS y de sus regiones macro, dejando en claro que en los últimos años de este estudio no hubo una mejora del indicador, lo que indica que las políticas públicas, como PHPN, no tuvo ningún impacto en la salud materna y reproductiva las mujeres. Estos resultados nos llevan a repensar el sistema y el cuidado de la salud de las mujeres, especialmente en la atención a la atención prenatal. La muerte materna es un evento que no puede esperar, para proteger las vidas de las mujeres en edad reproductiva es el deber del Estado y la obligación de los profesionales que tratan a estas mujeres.

Submitted by Ana Lúcia Torres (bfmhuap@gmail.com) on 2017-11-13T14:19:06Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertacao Josy Pinho.pdf: 1226133 bytes, checksum: eb4114659ac7eea459d334e4f15bb04f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Lúcia Torres (bfmhuap@gmail.com) on 2017-11-13T14:19:16Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertacao Josy Pinho.pdf: 1226133 bytes, checksum: eb4114659ac7eea459d334e4f15bb04f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-11-13T14:19:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertacao Josy Pinho.pdf: 1226133 bytes, checksum: eb4114659ac7eea459d334e4f15bb04f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017 / Viva Rio / Objetivo: Análise da morbidade materna grave (near miss materno), por meio de revisão sistemática de estudos no Brasil. Métodos: Foram examinados estudos que relataram dados quantitativos, causas e fatores associados à morbidade materna grave (near miss materno). A busca foi feita pelos sites MEDLINE e LILACS, sendo as palavras-chave: maternal near miss or severe maternal morbidity and Brazil. Foram extraídos dados utilizando-se um protocolo pré-definido (autor, ano, desenho do estudo, população estudada, cenário e contexto, análise estatística, critérios de near miss e resultados). A razão de near miss e os indicadores derivados foram descritos ou estimados, quando não relatados. Resultados: Identificamos 55 estudos, a maioria de desenho transversal (32). Predominaram estudos (40) de base hospitalar (local ou nacional); outros usaram sistemas de informação de saúde ou pesquisas nacionais de saúde. Diferentes definições e terminologias para “near miss” foram adotadas. A Razão de near miss materno variou de 2,4/ 1000 NV a 188,4/ 1000 NV, dependendo dos critérios e do cenário epidemiológico. O índice de mortalidade near miss materno variou entre 3,3% e 32,2%. Doenças hipertensivas e hemorrágicas foram as morbidades mais comuns. As causas indiretas vêm aumentando nos últimos anos. A ausência de cuidados pré-natais e outras demoras nos cuidados de saúde foram associados ao near miss, como também fatores sociodemográficos (cor da pele não branca, adolescência/ idade≥35 anos, baixo nível de escolaridade). Conclusão: O near miss materno no Brasil está associado a iniquidades e demoras na assistência à saúde. Existem grandes diferenças entre as regiões e de acordo com a classificação/ definição usada nos estudos. Os casos de near miss devem ser monitorados rotineiramente em unidades de saúde. Pesquisas futuras sobre casos de near miss materno devem usar os critérios da OMS e expandir o conceito de morbidade materna / Objective: Analysis of severe maternal morbidity (maternal near miss), through systematic review of studies in Brazil. Methods: We examined studies that reported quantitative data, causes, and associated factors on severe maternal morbidity (maternal near miss). The search was through MEDLINE and LILACS, and keywords were: maternal near miss or severe maternal morbidity and Brazil. We extracted data, using a pre-defined protocol (author, year, study design, population studied, setting and context, statistical analysis, criteria of near miss, and results). Near miss ratios, and near miss indicators were described or estimated, when not reported. Results: We identified 55 studies, mainly cross-sectional (32). Most of them (35) were health facility-based (local or national); others used health information systems or national health surveys. Different definitions and terminologies for maternal near miss were adopted. Near miss ratio ranged from 2,4/1000 LB to 188,4/1000 LB, depending on criteria and epidemiological scenario. Mortality index for maternal near miss ranged from 3.3%-32.2%. Hypertensive diseases and hemorrhage were the commonest morbidities. Indirect causes have been increasing in last years. Absence of prenatal care and other delays in health care were associated with near miss, as sociodemographic factors (skin color, adolescence and age > 35 years, low educational level). Conclusion: Maternal near miss in Brazil is associated with health iniquities and delays in health care. Large differences exist between regions and depending on the classification/setting of the studies. Near miss cases should be surveyed routinely in health facilities. Future research on maternal near misses should use WHO criteria and expand the concept of maternal morbidity

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:04:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Lorena de Almeida Ribeiro Prudente.pdf: 339298 bytes, checksum: 85271945cc6981d1e0a7a1803021dcad (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-08-08 / Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum bring alterations to women s body. In such periods, there is a redefinition of their identity, with altered relationship between the couple, within the family as well as with other members in the social context (MINISTÉRIO DA SAÚDE, 2002). The reproductive process was not idealized to end up in maternal death, since this is such a tragic episode which should never occur to women. Aims: to investigate maternal mortality in Goiás from 1999 to 2005; to describe epidemiological characteristics of women who died due to before and after birth complications; to identify the frequency distribution of maternal mortality rates by macroregional of health in Goiás and present the reason for maternal mortality in Goiás State. Method: this is an ecological descriptive epidemiologic study. For the description of maternal death occurring from 1999 to 2005, we identified the epidemiologic characteristics and causes related to this phenomenon, having as variables the place of occurrence, the year, the age, the educational status, race, marital status, causa mortis, and pregnancy-puerperal period in which death has occurred. The born alive rate of was obtained from the SINASC database. Data about the reason for maternal mortality in Goiás and in Brazil was obtained from DATASUS. Outcomes: 348 deaths were found in the sum of respective years. In Goiás, this study made clear the reality concerning maternal deaths. Dark-skinned and white women with 4 and 7 years of school completion, in reproductive age (20-29 years), and living in the Midwestern macroregion mainly due to direct obstetric causes, which are preventable. Conclusion: in sum, evidences shown in this study make it visible the importance to implement the birth humanization care program, provides to care managers and to healthcare workers both the knowledge and reflection upon obstetric practices and therapeutic management adopted in the assistance to pregnant women during and after birth. / A gravidez, o parto e puerpério apresentam alterações no organismo da mulher e ocorre uma redefinição da sua identidade. No Brasil a mortalidade materna é considerada um grave problema de saúde pública, uma vez que ocorre na plenitude da vida da mulher e provoca orfandade e a dissolução familiar (MINISTÉRIO DA SAÚDE, 2002). Objetivos: Investigar a mortalidade materna em Goiás no período de 1999 a 2005; descrever as características epidemiológicas das mulheres que obituaram em decorrência dos agravos relacionados ao período gravídico-puerperal; identificar a distribuição de freqüência dos índices de mortalidade materna por macrorregional de saúde em Goiás e apresentar a razão da mortalidade materna no estado de Goiás. Metodologia: estudo epidemiológico retrospectivo e descritivo, do tipo ecológico, dos óbitos maternos ocorridos no período de 1999 a 2005. Para identificar as causas relacionadas com o fenômeno se utilizou como variáveis o local de ocorrência, o ano, a faixa etária, a escolaridade, a raça, o estado civil, a causa da morte e o período gravídico-puerperal no qual ocorreu o óbito. A população do estudo foram os registros das mortes maternas cadastrados no DATASUS, e o número de nascidos vivos a partir da base de dados do SINASC. Resultados: No estudo constatou-se que Goiás nos anos de 1999 a 2005 ocorreram 348 óbitos maternos. Morreram mulheres de cor parda e branca, com escolaridade entre quatro e sete anos de estudo, em plena idade reprodutiva (20-29 anos), residente na macrorregional Centro-Oeste, principalmente, óbitos por causas obstétricas diretas, que são preveníveis. Propicia aos gestores e profissionais de saúde o conhecimento das características epidemiológicas das mulheres que obtuaram em decorrência da gravidez, parto e puerpéiro, identifica a distribuição de freqüência dos óbitos conforme a macrorregional de ocorrência e apresenta a razão da mortalidade materna no Estado de Goiás, o que nos permite refletir acerca das práticas obstétricas e condutas terapêuticas adotadas na assistência à mulher no período gravídico-puerperal.

Maternal mortality remains a severe problem in many parts of the world, despite efforts to reach MDG 5. Assessing progress towards this goal is difficult because maternal mortality is difficult to measure and the information available at country level does not generally permit the establishment of good baseline data. Countries with high maternal mortality ratios neither have adequate vital registration systems nor adequate resources to carry out surveys. Only few low-income countries have been able to establish a comprehensive reporting system and even where such vital registration systems are in place, maternal deaths are often underreported or misclassified as non-maternal even in large well developed cities. <p>Ghana belongs to the group of low-income countries with high maternal mortality ratios (point estimate 560, lower bound 200 and upper bound 1300) per 100,000 live births and inadequate data on maternal deaths. Previous studies have demonstrated that most of these deaths could be prevented with existing effective practices.<p><p>In this dissertation, we looked at the registration system of births and deaths in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. We assessed completeness of registration of maternal deaths and data quality. We also looked at the degree of underreporting of maternal deaths, assessed causes of maternal deaths and substandard care of these cases through a confidential enquiry. This enabled us to identify problems associated with measuring of maternal mortality in Ghana and the standard of care of the cases. Through our findings we were able to make recommendations to achieve MDG 5 in the country by 2015 if implemented. Other maternal and child health (MCH) interventions were also looked as working to improve MCH is a continuum, and no aspect should be neglected. The first relates to seeking evidence based practice in presence of potentially complicated obstetrical conditions like premature rupture of membranes and the second pertains to preventive activities in MCH and concentrates on the results of tetanus immunisation of women in their reproductive age in the Northern Region of Ghana.<p><p>Objectives<p>1.\ / Doctorat en Sciences de la santé publique / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Master of Public Health - MPH / The Health Extension Program (HEP) is an innovative, community based comprehensive primary health care program that Ethiopia introduced in 2003. It gives special emphasis to the provision of preventive and promotive services at community and household level. However, utilization of the HEP packages is low and reasons for this underutilization are not well known. The aim of this study is to assess the availability and utilization of the Health Extension Program Service in Akaki District of Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Quantitative study using a cross-sectional survey design. The study was conducted in Akaki District of Oromia Regional State in Ethiopia with 79,162 inhabitants. Random sampling was used to select 355 households. A structured data collection tool/ questionnaire was employed to collect data from the study participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 19. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze socio demographic characteristics of the study participants and to assess the availability and utilization of each service component. The response rate of the study was 100% with complete data obtained from 335 (94.4%) of the households. The majority (93.1%) of respondents were women. The availability of HEP services as described by the household visit of Health Extension Workers (HEWs) is very high with 86.6% visiting at least monthly and 11.3% visited sometimes. There was a highly significant association between the health extension workers’ visit to households and health extension service utilization during pregnancy (OR=16.913, 95% CI 8.074-35.427 at p<0.001). HIV testing utilization showed a tenfold increase among households who received education. Participation of households in the Model family initiative was another key factor associated with high levels of HEP services utilization. Though HEP services are available for most households, the frequency of household visits by HEWs and the involvement of Households in model family training greatly influenced service utilization. Improving frequency of services availability at household level and consistent health education will greatly improve services utilization.

As the statistics for maternal mortality have declined all over the world, it has also been rising in the US for the past two decades. The data clearly shows that the group with the highest risk for maternal mortality are black women, whilst white women are the group with the lowest risk. This study aims to investigate three policys related to maternal care: Affordable Care Act, Preventing Maternal Deaths Act and Improving Access to Maternal Care Act. By using Carol Bacchi's What’s the Problem Represented to Be-method of analysis, the study looks deeper into what underlying presumptions and assumptions the policys carry, and what consequences these have. Together with intersectionality as a theoretical framework, the study was able to uncover issues between the policies that are currently in place, and the categories and power positions within the people involved in the policy process and the people affected by the policies. The results show that the underlying assumptions and presumptions is that women work as a homogenous group and that the policies are focused on low-income individuals within that group. This results in continuous disparities in maternal mortality for black women, with concerning consequences. There is a great need for research, not only for accurate data surrounding maternal mortality (on deeper levels, not for women as a homogenous group), but also for development of policies and health care.

No description available.

Background Pregnancy and childbirth are normal physiological processes but the internal and external circumstances in which the child is conceived and born affect the life of the mother and child. Every pregnancy is associated with unpredictable risks and complications. Therefore, having a birth preparedness and complication prevention plan including safe motherhood are paramount to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. Purpose of the study This study aimed to establish the pregnant women’s knowledge, perceptions and practices regarding birth preparedness planning, complication readiness and safe motherhood at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital to help reduce some of the avoidable causes of maternal and infant mortality rates. Research design and methods An exploratory, descriptive and qualitative research design was used for the study. Women who had delivered within a period of one week were purposively selected from the research site and interviewed using a structured interview guide until saturation of data. Ethical considerations were adhered to and measures of trustworthiness were applied. Giorgi’s analytic method was used for data analysis. Findings The findings revealed that most participants were not well informed about birth preparedness although some had managed to save for baby requirements and hospital fees. Transportation to the hospital for ANC and delivery was a problem to those who ended up delivering their babies at home or on the way to hospital. Knowledge about complications of birth was poor and only a few participants could name bleeding and prolonged labour. Most participants were not sure about safe motherhood, whilst some mentioned contraception and post-natal care. Conclusion Evidence from the study reveal that as much as pregnant women prepare baby’s clothes and money for labour and delivery, psychological preparation and transport preparation seemed poor. Complication readiness was not known by most participants. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Sciences)

The maternal mortality rate in the USA is the highest in the industrialized world. Black women in the USA are three times more likely to die due to pregnancy and childbirth-related health issues than their white counterparts. According to 2017–2019 data from the CDC, 80% of these deaths are preventable.The purpose of this thesis is to understand how women’s bodily autonomy is both racialized and politicized. Key questions here are: What is the relationship between access to healthcare and reproductive rights? How are reproductive rights racialized? How is bodily autonomy racialized and politicized?This research is based on a literature review and a case study of the documentary Aftershock, released in July 2022. Aftershock charts the deaths of two young Black American women after they gave birth and shows how their partners and families stood together and became effective activists determined to fight the Black maternal mortality epidemic in the US, and thereby increase awareness and bring about change in society.