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Background: Clean birth practices can prevent sepsis, one of the leading causes of both maternal and newborn mortality. Evidence suggests that clean birth kits (CBKs), as part of package that includes education, are associated with a reduction in newborn mortality, omphalitis, and puerperal sepsis. However, questions remain about how best to approach the introduction of CBKs in country. We set out to develop a practical decision support tool for programme managers of public health systems who are considering the potential role of CBKs in their strategy for care at birth. Methods: Development and testing of the decision support tool was a three-stage process involving an international expert group and country level testing. Stage 1, the development of the tool was undertaken by the Birth Kit Working Group and involved a review of the evidence, a consensus meeting, drafting of the proposed tool and expert review. In Stage 2 the tool was tested with users through interviews (9) and a focus group, with federal and provincial level decision makers in Pakistan. In Stage 3 the findings from the country level testing were reviewed by the expert group. Results: The decision support tool comprised three separate algorithms to guide the policy maker or programme manager through the specific steps required in making the country level decision about whether to use CBKs. The algorithms were supported by a series of questions (that could be administered by interview, focus group or questionnaire) to help the decision maker identify the information needed. The country level testing revealed that the decision support tool was easy to follow and helpful in making decisions about the potential role of CBKs. Minor modifications were made and the final algorithms are presented. Conclusion: Testing of the tool with users in Pakistan suggests that the tool facilitates discussion and aids decision making. However, testing in other countries is needed to determine whether these results can be replicated and to identify how the tool can be adapted to meet country specific needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) remains high in most developing countries. Local, recent estimates of MMR are needed to motivate policymakers and evaluate interventions. But, estimating MMR, in the absence of vital registration systems, is difficult. This paper describes an efficient approach using village informant networks to capture maternal death cases (Maternal Deaths from Informants/Maternal Death Follow on Review or MADE-IN/MADE-FOR) developed to address this gap, and examines its validity and efficiency. Methods: MADE-IN used two village informant networks - heads of neighbourhood units (RTs) and health volunteers (Kaders). Informants were invited to attend separate network meetings - through the village head (for the RT) and through health centre for the kaders. Attached to the letter was a form with written instructions requesting informants list deaths of women of reproductive age (WRA) in the village during the previous two years. At a 'listing meeting' the informants' understanding on the form was checked, informants could correct their forms, and then collectively agreed a consolidated list. MADE-FOR consisted of visits relatives of likely pregnancy related deaths (PRDs) identified from MADE-IN, to confirm the PRD status and gather information about the cause of death. Capture-recapture (CRC) analysis enabled estimation of coverage rates of the two networks, and of total PRDs. Results: The RT network identified a higher proportion of PRDs than the kaders (estimated 0.85 vs. 0.71), but the latter was easier and cheaper to access. Assigned PRD status amongst identified WRA deaths was more accurate for the kader network, and seemingly for more recent deaths, and for deaths from rural areas. Assuming information on live births from an existing source to calculate the MMR, MADE-IN/MADE-FOR cost only $0.1 (US) per women-year risk of exposure, substantially cheaper than alternatives. Conclusions: This study shows that reliable local, recent estimates of MMR can be obtained relatively cheaply using two independent informant networks to identify cases. Neither network captured all PRDs, but capturerecapture analysis allowed self-calibration. However, it requires careful avoidance of false-positives, and matching of cases identified by both networks, which was achieved by the home visit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discuss strengthening district health systems as a model to adequately implement safe motherhood initiatives in world health. They believe that the global maternal health community has reached a consensus concerning priority interventions and that these interventions have become part of national and global health policies. They mention the experiences of four global maternal health initiatives: Averting Maternal Death and Disability (AMDD), Immpact, the Skilled Care Initiative (SCI), and ACCESS.

Summary The concept of knowing what works in terms of reducing maternal mortality is complicated by a huge diversity of country contexts and of determinants of maternal health. Here we aim to show that, despite this complexity, only a few strategic choices need to be made to reduce maternal mortality. We begin by presenting the logic that informs our strategic choices. This logic suggests that implementation of an effective intrapartum-care strategy is an overwhelming priority. We also discuss the alternative configurations of such a strategy and, using the best available evidence, prioritise one strategy based on delivery in primary-level institutions (health centres), backed up by access to referral-level facilities. We then go on to discuss strategies that complement intrapartum care. We conclude by discussing the inexplicable hesitation in decision-making after nearly 20 years of safe motherhood programming: if the fifth Millennium Development Goal is to be achieved, then what needs to be prioritised is obvious. Further delays in getting on with what works begs questions about the commitment of decision-makers to this goal. INSETS: Panel 1: Key messages;Panel 2: Special terms used and their defi nitions;Panel 3: Choices about cadre of skilled attendants and;Panel 4: What is the worth of antenatal care strategies? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the authors discuss millennium development goals (MDG) of the United Nations (UN). They state that in achieving the MDGs, it is crucial to acknowledge uncertainties from data upon which the global estimates are based upon. They also suggest that there is a need to not only judge overall achievements towards the MDGs but also lessons on the contribution of measurement and publication as a public health intervention.

Aims: The aims of this study were to investigate seasonal patterns of institutional maternal deaths and complications, and to test for an association with malaria seasons, rainfall, and household income. Methods: A systematic case review of hospital records in the Boucle du Mouhoun health region (Burkina Faso) was conducted over a 2-year period. A statistical smoothing procedure (T4253H) and Freedman's test were used to investigate seasonality and association with malaria, rainfall or household income variations. Results: The data consistently showed the greatest rates of maternal deaths, eclampsia and haemorrhage cases during the dry season, which is the low malaria transmission season, and the period of the year when households have most money available and the lowest opportunity cost of travelling to seek medical attention, suggesting that financial and geographical barriers may be major underlying factors. Conclusions: The management both of health resources in hospital and of referral systems should accommodate cyclical variations in the presentation of maternal complications. Effective mechanisms are needed to help reduce the significant barriers to uptake faced by women and their families at particular times of the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]