The effect of AIDS on maternal mortality in Malawi and Zimbabwe

Author(s): Bicego G, Boerma J T, Ronsmans C
Year: 2002
In this collection of research letters from issue 16 of the journal AIDS, year 2002, authors discusses the significant impact the AIDS epidemic has had on pregnancy-related mortality levels in Malawi and Zimbabwe. In these two countries, pregnancy-related mortality risks have increased 1.9 and 2.5 times respectively, during the past decade, concomitant with a nearly 10-fold increase in the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women. The increase is even more pronounced in urban populations. These observations have important implications, authors note, for intervention strategies and monitoring in the context of safe motherhood programs.