Maternal mortality in 2000

Overview

The document first discusses the complexity involved in measuring maternal mortality and the reasons why such measurement is subject to uncertainty, particularly when it comes to monitoring progress. It then presents the rationale for development of estimates of maternal mortality, along with a description of how this process was accomplished for the year 2000.

This is followed by an analysis and interpretation of the results, pointing out some of the pitfalls that may be encountered in attempting to use the estimates to draw conclusions about trends. The final part of the document present a summary of the kind of information needed to build a fuller understanding of both the levels and trends in maternal mortality and the interventions needed to achieve sustained reduction in the future.