04.06.2013 Views

Saving Mothers' Lives: - Public Health Agency for Northern Ireland

Saving Mothers' Lives: - Public Health Agency for Northern Ireland

Saving Mothers' Lives: - Public Health Agency for Northern Ireland

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Figure 1.1: Overall maternal mortality rate (deaths from Direct and Indirect causes combined) per 100,000<br />

maternities; United Kingdom: 1985-2005.<br />

Rate per 100,000 maternities<br />

16<br />

14<br />

12<br />

10<br />

8<br />

6<br />

4<br />

2<br />

0<br />

Improved case<br />

ascertainment<br />

by ONS<br />

Improved case<br />

ascertainment<br />

by CEMACH<br />

1985-1987 1988-1990 1991-1993 1994-1996 1997-1999 2000-2002 2003-2005<br />

Figure 1.2a: Direct maternal mortality rates per<br />

100,000 maternities; United Kingdom: 1985-2005.<br />

Rate per 100,000 maternities<br />

10<br />

9<br />

8<br />

7<br />

6<br />

5<br />

4<br />

3<br />

2<br />

1<br />

0<br />

Direct deaths<br />

Chi square = 5.48, 6 df, p = 0.48<br />

Chi square <strong>for</strong> linear trend = 0.48, p = 0.49<br />

1985-1987 1988-1990 1991-1993 1994-1996 1997-1999 2000-2002 2003-2005<br />

Figure 1.2b: Indirect maternal mortality rates per<br />

100,000 maternities; United Kingdom: 1985-2005.<br />

Rate per 100,000 maternities<br />

10<br />

9<br />

8<br />

7<br />

6<br />

5<br />

4<br />

3<br />

2<br />

1<br />

0<br />

Indirect deaths<br />

Chi square = 69.52, 6 df p =.0000000<br />

Chi square <strong>for</strong> linear trend = 65.466<br />

Improved case<br />

ascertainment<br />

by ONS<br />

Improved case<br />

ascertainment<br />

by CEMACH<br />

1985-1987 1988-1990 1991-1993 1994-1996 1997-1999 2000-2002 2003-2005<br />

Interpreting trends in maternal mortality<br />

The mortality rate <strong>for</strong> Direct deaths since the mid 1980s has remained at a relatively constant level with<br />

small random fl uctuations, as Table 1.1 and Figure 1.2a show. The differences between triennia are<br />

compatible with random variation and no linear trend can be detected. This contrasts with the signifi cant<br />

decline from the mid 1930s to the mid 1980s discussed in the previous Report1 .<br />

A number of factors, individually or combined, may account <strong>for</strong> the lack of any further decline since the mid<br />

1980s. These include newly emerging risk factors and changes in the population of women of childbearing<br />

5

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!