LESSON 1: NATIONAL HEALTH SITUATION AND STATISTICS ON MCN

Maternal health

pertains to the well-being of women throughout the phases of pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period.

Maternal mortality

is an important indicator of a woman’s health and status.

less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030

The Sustainable Development Goals set a target of reducing the maternal mortality ratio to

Infant mortality

reflects the effect of social, economic, and environmental factors on infants and mothers, as well as the effectiveness of national health systems

• severe bleeding after childbirth,

• infections,

• high blood pressure during pregnancy and

• unsafe abortion.

The leading causes of maternal deaths are

• preterm birth complications (31%),

• intrapartum related events (24%),

• sepsis/ tetanus (14%),

• congenital abnormalities (17%),

• diarrhea (1%),

• pneumonia (6%),

• and other conditions (8%)

According to the Healthy Newborn Network (2017), the leading causes of neonatal deaths in Philippines are

Maternal health indicators

focus on the well-being of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. These indicators reflect healthcare accessibility, service quality, and maternal outcomes.

Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)

The number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births within a specified period.

Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)

Significance:

o A high MMR suggests poor maternal healthcare services, limited access to skilled birth attendants, and inadequate emergency obstetric care.

o A key indicator for assessing progress in maternal health under SDG 3.1 (Reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030).

Antenatal Care (ANC) Coverage

The percentage of pregnant women who receive at least four (ANC4+) or eight (ANC8+) antenatal care visits from a skilled provider

Antenatal Care (ANC) Coverage

Significance:

o Essential for early detection of pregnancy complications.

o Ensures nutritional counseling, immunization, and screening for infections like HIV, syphilis, and gestational diabetes.

o Helps in monitoring fetal growth and maternal well-being.

Skilled Birth Attendance (SBA)

The percentage of births attended by a trained healthcare professional (doctor, nurse, or midwife).

Skilled Birth Attendance (SBA)

Significance:

o Directly linked to maternal and neonatal survival rates.

o Reduces complications from postpartum hemorrhage, obstructed labor, and infections.

o Ensures immediate neonatal resuscitation and care.

Postnatal Care (PNC) Coverage

The percentage of women who receive postpartum care within 48 hours of delivery.

Postnatal Care (PNC) Coverage

Significance:

o The postpartum period (first six weeks after birth) is the most critical for preventing maternal deaths.

o Addresses postpartum hemorrhage, infections, depression, and breastfeeding

support.

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR)

The percentage of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) using modern contraceptive methods.

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR)

o Reduces unintended pregnancies and maternal deaths from unsafe abortions.

o Supports family planning and maternal health decision-making.

Adolescent Birth Rate

The number of births per 1,000 women aged 15–19 years.

Adolescent Birth Rate

Significance:

o High adolescent birth rates increase risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal mortality.

o Indicates gaps in sexual and reproductive health education and access to contraception.

Anemia Prevalence in Pregnant Women

The percentage of pregnant women with hemoglobin levels below 11 g/dL.

Anemia Prevalence in Pregnant Women

Significance:

o Iron-deficiency anemia increases risks of maternal mortality, stillbirths, and low birth weight.

o Indicates nutritional deficiencies and poor dietary intake during pregnancy.

Prevalence of Cesarean Section (C-Section) Births

The percentage of births delivered via cesarean section.

Prevalence of Cesarean Section (C-Section) Births

Significance:

o WHO recommends a C-section rate of 10-15%; higher rates may indicate unnecessary interventions, while lower rates may signal a lack of emergency obstetric care.

Child health indicators

measure the well-being of newborns, infants, and children under five years old. These indicators help track child survival, growth, nutrition, and disease prevention.

Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR)

The number of deaths of newborns (0-28 days old) per 1,000 live births.

Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR)

Significance:

o Neonatal deaths account for 47% of under-five deaths globally.

o Major causes include preterm birth complications, birth asphyxia, and neonatal infections.

o Essential for evaluating newborn care services and maternal health.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

The number of deaths of infants under 1 year per 1,000 live births.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

Significance:

o Reflects overall child health, healthcare quality, and socio-economic factors.

o Common causes: pneumonia, diarrhea, birth complications, and malnutrition.

Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR)

The number of deaths of children under five years per 1,000 live births.

Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR)

Significance:

o A high U5MR indicates poor child healthcare services, malnutrition, and infectious disease prevalence.

o A key indicator for SDG 3.2 (End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 by 2030).

Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate

The percentage of infants (0-6 months) who receive only breast milk

Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate

Significance:

o Protects against infections, malnutrition, and childhood obesity.

o WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months.

Immunization Coverage

The percentage of children who receive essential vaccines (e.g., measles, polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus).

Immunization Coverage

Significance:

o Prevents vaccine-preventable diseases and child mortality.

o The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) ensures children receive life-saving vaccines.

Stunting

Low height-for-age (chronic malnutrition).

Wasting

Low weight-for-height (acute malnutrition).

Underweight

Low weight-for-age.

Low Birth Weight (LBW) Rate

The percentage of newborns weighing less than 2,500 grams.

Low Birth Weight (LBW) Rate

Significance:

o Low birth weight is associated with higher neonatal mortality, childhood stunting, and poor cognitive development.

Child Health Care Access

The proportion of children receiving healthcare when sick (e.g., treatment for diarrhea, pneumonia).

Child Health Care Access

Significance:

o A critical measure of universal health coverage (UHC) for children.