Adolescent motherhood and maternal deaths in Uganda

Abstract

Despite the reduction in the rate of maternal deaths during child birth over the past decade, Uganda’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR)remains high compared to other East African countries. At 375 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017, Uganda’s MMR is 51 percent more than that of Rwanda (248 deaths per 100,000 live birth). On the other hand, the major causes of maternal deaths during child birth in Uganda are preventable. Major drivers of maternal deaths include the high prevalence of teenage pregnancy and associated adolescent motherhood as well as inequitable distribution of health facilities across the country.