Population Council Research that makes a difference

Abstract

The etiology of maternal mortality in developing countries: What do verbal autopsies tell us? (PDF) 
Sloan,Nancy L.; Langer,Ana; Hernandez,Bernardo; Romero,Minerva; Winikoff,Beverly
Bulletin of the World Health Organization 79(9): 805-810
Publication date: 2001

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Objective
To reassess the practical value of verbal autopsy data, which, in the absence of more definitive information, have been used to describe the causes of maternal mortality and to identify priorities in programmes intended to save women's lives in developing countries.

Methods
We reanalysed verbal autopsy data from a study of 145 maternal deaths that occurred in Guerrero, Queretaro and San Luis Potosi, Mexico, in 1995, taking into account other causes of death and the WHO classification system. The results were also compared with information given on imperfect death certificates.

Findings
The reclassification showed wide variations in the attribution of maternal deaths to single specific medical causes.

Conclusion
The verbal autopsy methodology has inherent limitations as a means of obtaining histories of medical events. At best it may reconfirm the knowledge that mortality among poor women with little access to medical care is higher than that among wealthier women who have better access to such care.

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