. 2017;6(2):130–138. doi: 10.21106/ijma.216

Table 1.

Millennium development goals and maternal mortality

Maternal mortality
MDG 5 goal: The MDG 5 goal set by the United Nations is to improve maternal health by reducing the maternal mortality rate by three-fourths by 2015 (WHO: Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health). Why it’s important: Disparities are present in maternal mortalities. Sub-Saharan Africa made up around 56% of global maternal deaths and Southern Asia made up 29% in 2010, totaling 85% of global maternal deaths (Odusola, 2013). Nigeria has a high maternal mortality rate. The reported maternal mortality ratio was 576 deaths per 100,000 live births (Nigerian National Demographic and Health Survey, 2013).	Causes of maternal mortality: Exposure to hemorrhages, infections, unsafe abortions, HIV/AIDS and meningitis leave women at risk of mortality due to unsafe practices (Owens-Ibie, 2011). Lack of access to quality health care, lack of skilled health workers, education and poverty are structural factors that have contributed to maternity mortality rates in Nigeria, especially in rural areas (Odusola, 2013).

Maternal mortality

MDG 5 goal:
The MDG 5 goal set by the United Nations is to improve maternal health by reducing the maternal mortality rate by three-fourths by 2015 (WHO: Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health).
Why it’s important:
Disparities are present in maternal mortalities. Sub-Saharan Africa made up around 56% of global maternal deaths and Southern Asia made up 29% in 2010, totaling 85% of global maternal deaths (Odusola, 2013). Nigeria has a high maternal mortality rate. The reported maternal mortality ratio was 576 deaths per 100,000 live births (Nigerian National Demographic and Health Survey, 2013).

Causes of maternal mortality:
Exposure to hemorrhages, infections, unsafe abortions, HIV/AIDS and meningitis leave women at risk of mortality due to unsafe practices (Owens-Ibie, 2011). Lack of access to quality health care, lack of skilled health workers, education and poverty are structural factors that have contributed to maternity mortality rates in Nigeria, especially in rural areas (Odusola, 2013).