Author/Authors :
Bayati, Mohsen Health Management and Human Resources Research Center - Faculty of Management and Medical Information - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , Vahedi, Sajad Health Management and Economics Research Center - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Esmaeilzadeh, Firooz Department of Health Economics & Management - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Kavosi, Zahra Department of Health Services Management - Faculty of Management and Medical Information - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , Jamali, Zahra Department of Environmental Health - School of Public Health - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , Rajabi, Abdolhalim Department of Epidemiology - School of Public Health - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Alimohamadi, Yousef Department of Epidemiology - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Background: As one of the main criteria of health outcomes, maternal mortality indicates the socioeconomic
development level of countries. The present study aimed at identifying and analyzing the effective factors on
maternal mortality in Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Methods: Analytical model was developed based on the literature review. Panel data of 2004-2011 periods for
22 EMR countries was used. Required data were collected from WHO online database. Based on results of diagnostic
tests for panel data model, parameters of model were estimated by fixed effects method.
Results: Descriptive statistics demonstrated the large disparities in social, economic, and health indicators
among EMRO countries. Findings obtained from evaluating the model showed a negative, significant relationship
between GDP per capita (β=-0.869, p<0.01), health expenditure) β=-0.525, p<0.01 (female literacy rate)
β=-1.045, <0.01 (skilled birth attendance) β=-0.899, p<0.05) and maternal mortality rate.
Conclusion: Improved income and economic development, increased resources allocated to the health sector,
improved delivery services particularly the increased use of trained staff in the delivery, improve quality of primary
care centers, mitigating the risks of marginalization and its dangers, and especially improving the level of
women's education and knowledge are the key factors in policy making related to maternal health promotion.
Keywords :
EMRO , Panel data model , Maternal health , Maternal mortality rate
