Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41208309›Full record

SynthesisWomen's health (London, England)

Severe maternal outcomes and their underlying causes in Ethiopia. Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Tirusew Nigussie Kebede, Kidist Ayalew Abebe, Worku Taye Getahun, Birhan Tsegaw Taye, Temesgen Dessie Mengistu, Bezawit Melak Fente, Moges Sisay Chekole, Tebabere Moltot

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Women's health (London, England). The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Tirusew Nigussie KebedeDepartment of Midwifery, Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia.ORCID 0009-0004-9425-6273
Kidist Ayalew AbebeDepartment of Midwifery, Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia.
Worku Taye GetahunDepartment of Midwifery, Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.
Birhan Tsegaw TayeDepartment of Midwifery, Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia.
Temesgen Dessie MengistuDepartment of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Ethiopia.
Bezawit Melak FenteDepartment of General Midwifery, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Ethiopia.
Moges Sisay ChekoleDepartment of Midwifery, Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia.ORCID 0000-0003-3698-119X
Tebabere MoltotDepartment of Midwifery, Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSevere maternal outcomes (SMOs), including maternal deaths and life-threatening complications during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days postpartum, reflect the quality of maternal healthcare services and highlight gaps in timely and effective interventions. Monitoring SMOs is crucial for improving maternal health systems, as it helps identify preventable factors, strengthen clinical practices, and inform policy decisions to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. This study synthesizes existing evidence on the pooled incidence proportion of SMOs in Ethiopia and examines their underlying causes.

objectiveTo estimate the pooled incidence proportion of SMOs and their underlying causes in Ethiopia.

designSystematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES AND

methodsThe review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Hinari using the CoCoPop strategy. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Heterogeneity was evaluated with the

resultsThirteen studies, including 2451 SMO cases among 67,954 live births, were analyzed. The pooled incidence of SMOs was 41.74 per 1000 live births (95% CI: 29.58-53.89). The maternal mortality index was 10.53% (95% CI: 7.71-13.36). The leading causes of SMO were pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH; 40.8%), obstetric hemorrhage (24.94%), uterine rupture (19.61%), severe systemic infection (11.65%), and early pregnancy complications (7.74%).

conclusionThe incidence of SMOs in Ethiopia is higher than in many other countries. PIH, obstetric hemorrhage, uterine rupture, severe systemic infection, and early pregnancy complications are the main contributing causes. Targeted, context-specific interventions that emphasize early detection, effective management, and prevention of these conditions could significantly reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, improving access to quality emergency obstetric care, and enhancing community awareness and timely health-seeking behaviors are essential. Policymakers and program planners should prioritize resource allocation and capacity-building efforts tailored to these high-burden conditions to accelerate progress toward national and global maternal health goals.PROSPERO registration number:CRD42024629544.

Indexed as

Pregnancy ComplicationsPregnancy OutcomeEthiopiaFemaleHumansIncidenceMaternal DeathMaternal Health ServicesMaternal MortalityPregnancyEthiopiamaternal mortality indexpregnancy-induced hypertensionsevere maternal outcomesuterine rupture

Identifiers

PMID41208309
PMCPMC12602966

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.