Kestler E E
Epidemiologic Research Center in Reproductive and Family Health, Guatemala.
World Health Stat Q. 1995;48(1):28-33.
Developing countries which have somewhat reliable vital statistics but poor or incomplete information about maternal mortality must make the most of the data available. Such data may require modification for maternal mortality analyses. What is important, however, is the decision to use available information and to analyse it properly. The analysis of maternal mortality in Guatemala, using data from 1986 birth and death certificates, identified particular areas, health regions, and particular ethnic groups that had significantly higher maternal mortality ratios than others. Small but disproportionately affected populations that had no available maternal health assistance were identified-a problem found in many developing countries. These groups urgently need the services of traditional birth attendants or other forms of assistance before, during and after delivery. The analysis of vital statistics led to the beginning of operative research and the collection of background information for establishing an epidemiologic surveillance programme for maternal mortality.
一些发展中国家虽有较为可靠的人口动态统计数据，但关于孕产妇死亡率的信息却匮乏或不完整，这些国家必须充分利用现有数据。此类数据可能需要进行修改以用于孕产妇死亡率分析。然而，重要的是决定使用现有信息并对其进行恰当分析。危地马拉利用1986年出生和死亡证明数据对孕产妇死亡率进行的分析，确定了孕产妇死亡率明显高于其他地区的特定区域、卫生区域和特定族裔群体。还发现了一些虽人数不多但受影响比例过高且无法获得孕产妇保健援助的人群——这是许多发展中国家都存在的问题。这些群体在分娩前、分娩期间和分娩后迫切需要传统助产士的服务或其他形式的援助。对人口动态统计数据的分析促成了行动研究的开展，并为建立孕产妇死亡率流行病学监测方案收集了背景信息。
