Maternal mortality, defined as the death of a woman due to pregnancy-related complications or its management, remains a pressing public health challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa. The region bears a disproportionate burden of maternal deaths, with 70% of global maternal deaths occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). The interplay between maternal mortality and economic development is evident, as high maternal mortality rates negatively impact economic growth, reducing labor force participation, human capital development, and overall productivity (United Nations Population Fund [UNFPA], 2023).
This article explores the economic consequences of maternal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the need for strategic investments in healthcare infrastructure, skilled birth attendants, maternal health financing, and women’s education as essential steps toward both health and economic progress.
The Burden of Maternal Mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa
Despite global efforts to reduce maternal deaths, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to record alarmingly high maternal mortality ratios (MMR). In 2020, the region’s MMR was estimated at 531 deaths per 100,000 live births, significantly above the global average (WHO, 2023). Several countries report extremely high maternal mortality rates, including South Sudan (1,223 deaths per 100,000 live births), Chad (1,063 deaths), and Nigeria (1,047 deaths) (Integrated African Health Observatory [iAHO], 2023).
Key Causes of Maternal Mortality
- Hemorrhage (severe bleeding): Often due to delayed medical intervention, unskilled birth attendance, and inadequate health facilities (Sharrow et al., 2022).
- Infections (sepsis): Linked to poor hygiene and sanitation in healthcare facilities (WHO, 2023).
- Hypertensive disorders (pre-eclampsia/eclampsia): Major contributors to maternal deaths in the region (MSD for Mothers, 2024).
- Obstructed labor: Can lead to uterine rupture and fetal distress, increasing mortality risks (UNFPA, 2023).
- Unsafe abortion: Accounts for a significant proportion of pregnancy-related deaths (World Bank, 2023).
- Indirect causes: Diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS also contribute to high MMR (Onambele et al., 2022).
These challenges are exacerbated by limited healthcare access, inadequate medical supplies, poor infrastructure, and a severe shortage of trained healthcare workers (WHO, 2023).
The Economic Consequences of Maternal Mortality
Maternal mortality is not just a health crisis; it also has far-reaching economic consequences. Studies show that high maternal mortality rates correlate negatively with GDP growth, impacting household income, labor force participation, and overall economic stability (IAHO, 2023).
1. Reduced Labor Force Participation
Women play a crucial role in economic productivity, particularly in agriculture and the informal sector. Maternal deaths directly reduce the labor force, leading to declining workforce quality and productivity losses (Anyamele et al., 2017).
2. Household Economic Instability
- Families often sell off productive assets to cover funeral costs, further deepening household poverty (Mkoka et al., 2014).
- Children of deceased mothers are less likely to complete school, reducing future earning potential (Tessema et al., 2017).
3. Loss of Caregivers and Human Capital
- Maternal deaths lead to increased child malnutrition, poor cognitive development, and higher child mortality rates (WHO, 2023).
- Elderly family members, often dependent on women for care, suffer neglect and economic insecurity (Sharrow et al., 2022).
4. Decline in GDP Growth
An econometric study found that a 1% increase in MMR leads to a 0.61% decrease in GDP per capita (IAHO, 2023). This demonstrates that reducing maternal mortality is not just a health priority but an economic imperative.
Investing in Maternal Health: A Pathway to Economic Development
To break the cycle of high maternal mortality and economic stagnation, investments in maternal healthcare systems, education, and financial security are essential.
1. Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure
- Expanding maternity facilities in rural and underserved areas.
- Ensuring essential medical supplies, including oxytocin for hemorrhage prevention, magnesium sulfate for pre-eclampsia, and blood transfusions (WHO, 2023).
- Developing emergency obstetric care (EmOC) services to manage high-risk pregnancies (UNFPA, 2023).
2. Increasing Access to Skilled Birth Attendants (SBA)
- Training and deploying midwives, nurses, and obstetricians to improve birth outcomes (MSD for Mothers, 2024).
- Expanding SBA coverage from 73% in Sub-Saharan Africa to the 90% global target by 2025 (WHO, 2023).
3. Expanding Health Insurance and Financial Protection
- Reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs for low-income women.
- Subsidizing maternal health services through universal health coverage (UHC) programs (World Bank, 2023).
4. Promoting Family Planning and Contraceptive Use
- Scaling up modern contraception access to prevent unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions (UNICEF, 2023).
5. Investing in Women’s Education
- Higher education levels correlate with lower maternal mortality rates (Anyamele et al., 2017).
- Educated women are more likely to seek antenatal care, skilled delivery, and family planning services (Tessema et al., 2017).
Addressing Socioeconomic Barriers
1. Gender Equity and Women’s Empowerment
- Challenging harmful gender norms that restrict women’s access to healthcare and economic opportunities (Mkoka et al., 2014).
- Providing economic empowerment programs to enable financial independence (Sharrow et al., 2022).
2. Digital and Community-Based Health Innovations
- Mobile health (mHealth) programs for maternal health education and appointment reminders (WHO, 2023).
- Community engagement initiatives to encourage facility-based deliveries (Onambele et al., 2022).
Conclusion
The correlation between maternal mortality and economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa is undeniable. High maternal mortality rates hinder economic progress, reducing workforce productivity, household stability, and GDP growth. Addressing this crisis requires a multi-sectoral approach, including health system strengthening, increased SBA coverage, financial protection for maternal healthcare, and women’s empowerment.
By investing in maternal health, Sub-Saharan Africa can significantly reduce preventable maternal deaths, foster economic growth, and build a healthier, more prosperous future for all.
References
- Anyamele, O. D., Ukawuilulu, J. O., & Akanegbu, B. N. (2017). The role of wealth and mother’s education in infant and child mortality in 26 Sub-Saharan African countries. Social Indicators Research, 130(3), 1125-1146.
- Integrated African Health Observatory (2023). Maternal mortality in Africa: Economic and health implications.
- MSD for Mothers. (2024). Investing in maternal health for economic stability in Africa.
- Onambele, L., et al. (2022). Maternal Mortality and Economic Development: Regional Trends in Africa (2000–2020). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), 13146.
- Sharrow, D., Hogan, D. R., Wang, H., & et al. (2022). The economic burden of maternal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Lancet, 399(10327), 959–979.
- United Nations Population Fund (2023). Maternal mortality and sustainable economic development.
- World Bank. (2023). Reducing maternal deaths through economic investment strategies.
- World Health Organization. (2023). Global Maternal Mortality Report: Trends and Challenges.
