Maternal Mortality in the MENA Region
By Mia Veal
Within the MENA region, maternal mortality has seen a sharp decline in recent years. However, depending on the country, disparities are present in maternal health. The two major factors for the decline in maternal mortality in the MENA region are socio-demographic changes and economic improvements. Particularly the rise of income for families contributed to the improvement of public health. The trend is also seen in the decline of neonatal and childhood mortality. This decline has also been apparent in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Western Africa, though it has been a gradual process. Maternal mortality is often due to preventable causes such as hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, maternal sepsis, obstructed labor, and abortive outcomes. Outside of these causes, ongoing conflict does have a major effect on the mortality of women and children.
The most major trend is that Gulf nations have low maternal mortality due to them being small, economically rich countries, while nations with weak health services and still in conflict still see high rates. The rates of maternal mortality are an indicator of the economic disparities between MENA countries.