Maternal Mortality and HIV: An Overview

Publish Date: September 2014
Author: MCHIP
Language: English

This briefer examines the causes of maternal morbidity and mortality among women living with HIV, as well as maternal health and antiretroviral treatment. An estimated 6-20% of maternal deaths worldwide are believed to be HIV-related. However, many of these deaths can be prevented with the implementation of high-quality antenatal, obstetric and postpartum care, including prompt diagnosis of HIV and associated opportunistic infections, prevention and treatment of common co-infections, and provision of ART.

Another MCHIP maternal health briefer—entitled “Intersecting Epidemics: An Overview of the Causes of Maternal Death and Infectious Diseases“—examines why and where mothers are dying, and raises questions about how maternal health strategies can and should be increasingly customized and targeted to accelerate progress in saving mothers’ lives.

A third brief—entitled “Maternal Health and Infectious Diseases: A Technical Update“—highlights basic information and key elements on selected maternal infections and offers updated guidance about best clinical practice.