Perinatal Mortality in South Asia: Systematic Review of Observational Studies

Pramesh Raj Ghimire; Kingsley E Agho; Blessing J Akombi; Nidhi Wali; Michael Dibley; Camille Raynes-Greenow; Andre M N Renzaho

doi:10.3390/ijerph15071428

Perinatal Mortality in South Asia: Systematic Review of Observational Studies

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018 Jul 6;15(7):1428. doi: 10.3390/ijerph15071428.

Authors

Pramesh Raj Ghimire¹, Kingsley E Agho², Blessing J Akombi³, Nidhi Wali⁴, Michael Dibley⁵, Camille Raynes-Greenow⁶, Andre M N Renzaho⁷

Affiliations

¹ School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag1797, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia. P.Ghimire@westernsydney.edu.au.
² School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag1797, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia. K.Agho@westernsydney.edu.au.
³ School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag1797, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia. blessingakombi@yahoo.com.
⁴ School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia. N.Wali@westernsydney.edu.au.
⁵ Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Edward Ford Building (A27), Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. michael.dibley@sydney.edu.au.
⁶ Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Edward Ford Building (A27), Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. camille.raynes-greenow@sydney.edu.au.
⁷ School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia. Andre.Renzaho@westernsydney.edu.au.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to systematically review observational studies on perinatal mortality in South Asia.

Methods: This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Five computerized bibliographic databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched for published studies which reported factors associated with perinatal mortality in South Asia from 1 January 2000 to 20 March 2018. All relevant observational studies (cohort, cross-sectional and case-control) were reviewed.

Results: Fourteen studies met the selection criteria. The most common factors associated with perinatal mortality were: low socioeconomic status, lack of quality health-care services, pregnancy/obstetric complications and lack of antenatal care.

Conclusions: Interventions to reduce perinatal mortality in the South Asia should focus on the provision of adequate antenatal care and quality healthcare services which are accessible to women of low socioeconomic status.

Keywords: South Asia; perinatal mortality; public health; systematic review.

Publication types

Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Asia / epidemiology
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Observational Studies as Topic
Perinatal Mortality*