title: Maternal mortality surveillance and maternal death reviews in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
abstract: This paper presents the findings of a 1999 survey of 19 countries of the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region on maternal mortality surveillance systems and death review activities in the Region. Data were collected by questionnaire completed by ministry of health personnel. The findings show that 13 countries require official reporting of deaths of women of reproductive age. Most of the countries conduct maternal death reviews although only 8 have surveillance systems. Other areas investigated were the sources of information on maternal deaths, types of data collected, how the data are analysed and how such data are used. There is a need to strengthen information systems on maternal mortality in the Region in order to guide decision-makers in the planning and evaluation of maternal health programmes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: L O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Chichakli
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Atrash
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Musani
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mahaini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arnaoute
mesh_terms: D002423:Cause of Death; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006285:Health Planning; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007255:Information Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007256:Information Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000592:standards; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D019083:Mediterranean Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D020380:Needs Assessment; D018024:Peer Review, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires