title: Universal reporting of maternal mortality: an achievable goal?
abstract: This paper aims to highlight the importance of aspiring to achieve universal reporting of maternal deaths as a part of taking responsibility for these avoidable tragedies. The paper first discusses the reasons for reporting maternal deaths, distinguishing between individual case notification and aggregate statistics. This is followed by a summary of the status of reporting at national and international levels, as well as major barriers and facilitators to this process. A new framework is then proposed - the REPORT framework, designed to highlight six factors essential to universal reporting. Malaysia is used to illustrate the relevance of these factors. Finally, the paper makes a Call to Action by FIGO to promote REPORT and to encourage health professionals to play their part in improving the quality of reporting on all maternal deaths - not just those directly in their care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and IMMPACT, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill Campus, Aberdeen Scotland, UK. w.graham@abdn.ac.uk
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hussein
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008428:Maternal Mortality / Q000639:trends; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D012042:Registries