Q: Which countries in the world have the highest maternal mortality rate?
A: Countries with the highest maternal deaths include Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Chad, Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia, Liberia, Burundi and Gambia
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Q: Have maternal deaths decreased over time?
A: With better overall access to family planning, antenatal care and care during childbirth, the global maternal mortality ratio has reduced from 380 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 210 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2013, and several countries have in fact halved their maternal death rates in the last decade.
Q: Why are maternal deaths still high in certain countries?
A: The factors responsible for high maternal deaths in many developing countries include
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Extreme poverty
Remote location with lack of access to health care
Lack of awareness
Cultural practices
Inadequate healthcare resources compared to the population
