Scholars International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SIJOG)
Volume-1 | Issue-02 | 38-43
Review Article
The Success Story of Reducing Maternal Mortality in Saudi Arabia
Mohamed Najimudeen, Myo Hla Myint, Shyam Rao, Mie Mie
Published : July 30, 2018
Abstract
Abstract: The Kingdom Saudi Arabia (KSA) is the second largest Arab country, with a population estimated at 32.9 million, growing at 2%, in 2015.The maternal mortality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been substantially reduced within a reasonably short period. The maternal mortality rate in the year 1990 was 40 per 100,000 live births but it was drastically reduced to 12 in the year 2015. This is an example to many countries with unacceptably high maternal deaths. Poor antenatal care, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and obstetric haemorrhage are the leading causes of maternal deaths. In KSA, rapidly changing attitude of women towards childbirth is occurring through progressively increasing female education and community health programmes in the region. Further reduction of maternal mortality rates in the community is envisaged through greater patient acceptance of medical advice, family spacing and proficient obstetric services. The quantitative and qualitative development of health services has led to improvement of maternal healthcare indicators. The MMR in Saudi Arabia will very soon match the developed countries with advanced health facilities. This article reveals the improvements in general improvement in socio-economic condition, increase in the female literacy rate, shifting from home delivery to hospital delivery, skilled care during pregnancy, labour and puerperium and contraceptive practice and reduction in fertility rate are the key factors contributed in improving the maternal health care in Saudi Arabia.