Abstract

PAZMINO DE OSORIO, Sonia  and  GUZMAN-GOMEZ, Ney. Prenatal control and its impact on reducing maternal deaths: Trend analysis, 1994-2004. Cali, Colombia. Rev Colomb Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2009, vol.60, n.1, pp.12-18. ISSN 0034-7434.

Objective: analysing the statistical data regarding maternal deaths in Cali (Colombia) during two consecutive decades (1985-2004) and correlating outcomes with environmental and social indicators. Methodology: the Canadian Laframboise conceptual model was used for explaining how health service organisation and other aspects of medical care play a part in decreasing maternal mortality rates. Results: maternal deaths in Cali have been decreasing since 1994. No significant quantitative variations in environmental and/or social indicators for Cali were detected from 1994-2004. High prenatal control (97%) and institutional delivery coverage (98%) remained stable, together with an efficient referral and counter-referral system. Improving prenatal attention quality through periodic evaluation and adjustment and obstetrician/gynaecologists’ ongoing participation in first-level attention were the highlights of public attention service network intervention. Discussion: prenatal risk factors, broad institutional coverage for a quality motherhood care programme and an efficient referral system have all contributed towards reducing maternal deaths by nearly 80 (taking Guzmán’s 1986 calculation as reference point).

Keywords : safe motherhood; safe maternity; quality assessment; prenatal care; maternal death; evaluative research.

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