Measuring maternal mortality in developing Pacific island countries: experience with the sisterhood method in the Solomon Islands.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the maternal mortality rate in the Solomon Islands, and to assist health planning and implementation of effective interventions.


METHODS
The sisterhood method, an indirect technique for deriving population-based estimates of maternal mortality was used in interviews with 2580 randomly chosen women reporting on the fertility and mortality experience of their sisters.


RESULTS
The maternal mortality ratio in this study was 549 per 100,000 (95% CI 431, 684). This equates to one maternal death in every 180 pregnancies.


CONCLUSIONS
The sisterhood method was found to be easy to administer, inexpensive and quick, and is recommended as a measurement tool to other developing countries.
Ministry of Health, Solomon Islands.
J
J
O'Brien
T
T
Wierzba
S
S
Knott
J
J
Pikacha
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008542:Melanesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy