Appropriate technology to prevent maternal mortality: current research requirements.
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.
Tsu
Vivien Davis
VD
PATH, Seattle, WA, USA.
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
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents