Äitilapsikuolleisuus

Äitilapsikuolleisuus, often translated as maternal and infant mortality, refers to the deaths of women during pregnancy or childbirth and the deaths of infants within the first year of life. These are critical indicators of a nation's healthcare system, socioeconomic conditions, and overall public health. High rates of äitilapsikuolleisuus often signal inadequate access to quality antenatal care, skilled birth attendants, emergency obstetric services, and postnatal support for both mother and child.

Factors contributing to äitilapsikuolleisuus are diverse and can include infections, complications from childbirth such as hemorrhage and eclampsia, obstructed labor, unsafe abortions, and pre-existing maternal health conditions. For infants, common causes of death include prematurity, birth asphyxia, infections like pneumonia and sepsis, and congenital anomalies. Poverty, limited education, malnutrition, and lack of access to clean water and sanitation further exacerbate these risks, particularly in developing countries.

Global efforts to reduce äitilapsikuolleisuus are ongoing, focusing on improving access to reproductive health services, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and promoting healthier lifestyles. Interventions like skilled birth attendance, access to essential medicines, family planning services, and comprehensive newborn care packages are proven to save lives. Tracking and analyzing äitilapsikuolleisuus rates are crucial for identifying disparities and directing resources effectively to improve maternal and child survival.