The etiology of maternal mortality in the eight regions of Namibia: what do verbal autopsies tell us?

Abstract

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 and to identify priorities in programs intended to save women’s lives in developing countries. Methods: I re analyzed verbal autopsy information from a study of all 97 identified maternal deaths that occurred in the eight regions located East, West and Central part of Namibia (Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kavango, Caprivi, Kunene and Otjozondjupa) from 2008-2010, taking into account other causes of death and the who classification system. The results will be used to fit a binary logistic regression model. Findings: the reclassification is expected to show wide variations in the attribution of maternal deaths to single specific non medical causes. Conclusion: the verbal autopsy methodology will inherit 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.