title: Appropriate technology to prevent maternal mortality: current research requirements.
abstract: Maternal mortality involves a complex mixture of clinical, infrastructural and social issues and will require a multifaceted approach if we are to see meaningful reductions occur. That includes thoughtful attention to appropriate technologies for low-resource countries. An international group of specialists meeting in Bellagio, Italy, in 2003 identified important needs and opportunities related to new and underutilized technologies to reduce pregnancy-related mortality. Research to fill in critical information gaps was a recurrent theme. Research, whether it is for product development, for building the evidence base about effectiveness and safety or for helping refine introduction strategies and guide practice, plays a critical role in the development and widespread use of technologies. Priority research needs related to the five major causes of maternal mortality-haemorrhage, puerperal sepsis, unsafe abortion, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia and obstructed labour-have been identified. Appropriate collaborations of investigators and other stakeholders and adequate financial resources are urgently needed to move the research agenda forward.
authors.affiliation: PATH, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Vivien Davis
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Tsu
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D035843:Biomedical Research; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006292:Health Priorities; D006801:Humans; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D011645:Puerperal Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents