Yale University

Development, coinfection, and the syndemics of pregnancy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

TitleDevelopment, coinfection, and the syndemics of pregnancy in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsSinger, Merrill
JournalInfectious diseases of poverty
Volume2
Issue1
Pagination26
Date Published2013 Nov 15
ISSN2049-9957
AbstractNotable among gaps in the achievement of the global health Millennium Development Goals (MDG) are shortcomings in addressing maternal health, an issue addressed in the fifth MDG. This shortfall is particularly acute in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where over half of all maternal deaths occur each year. While there is not as yet a comprehensive understanding of the biological and social causes of maternal death in SSA, it is evident that poverty, gendered economic marginalization, social disruptions, hindered access to care, unevenness in the quality of care, illegal and clandestine abortions, and infections are all critical factors. Beyond these factors, this paper presents a review of the existing literature on maternal health in SSA to argue that syndemics constitute a significant additional source of maternal morbidity and mortality in the region. Increasing focus on the nature, prevention, and treatment of syndemics, as a result, should be part and parcel of improving maternal health in SSA.
DOI10.1136/bcr-2013-201184
Alternate JournalInfect Dis Poverty

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