Maternal Mortality

Outcome

Impact

number of maternal deaths (collected during weekly / monthly home visits, health facilities, authorities)

This indicator tracks the number of maternal deaths occurring in the target population during the reporting period. Maternal mortality is a critical outcome indicator in humanitarian settings, where health system disruption, displacement, and limited access to care significantly increase the risk of death related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the post-partum period.

The indicator is based on routine mortality surveillance, not on statistical modelling. Determine its value using the following methodology:

 

1) First, define what counts as a maternal death: For this indicator, a maternal death is defined in line with WHO standards as “the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management”. Use this definition consistently across all data sources and reporting periods.

 

2) Define the population and reporting period: Clearly specify:

   - the geographic area covered by surveillance

   - the target population (e.g. camp population, host communities, catchment areas)

   - the reporting period (weekly, monthly, or aggregated over the project period)

 

3) Identify and use data sources: Collect data from multiple complementary sources to minimise under-reporting. The main data sources might include:

   - community-based surveillance: regular household visits conducted by Community Health Workers (CHWs) or trained volunteers are a key source of information on deaths occurring outside health facilities

   - health facility records: maternity wards, emergency obstetric care facilities, referral hospitals

   - authorities and existing systems: local health authorities, civil registration systems (where functional), or humanitarian health coordination mechanisms

Where possible, triangulate information across sources to confirm cases and avoid duplication.

 

4) Collect and verify maternal death data: During data collection:

   - record each maternal death as a case, not an estimate

   - verify basic details (age, pregnancy/post-partum status, place of death, approximate timing)

   - ensure confidentiality and ethical handling of sensitive information

   - use simple verification procedures (e.g. supervisor review, cross-checking with facilities) to improve data quality

 

5) Count and report maternal deaths: Sum the total number of confirmed maternal deaths recorded during the reporting period within the defined population and area.

Where required and appropriate, the data can be disaggregated by:

   - age group

   - location (camp, settlement, community)

   - place of death (home, health facility, during transit)

   - timing (pregnancy, childbirth, post-partum period)

Disaggregation should be applied only where data quality allows and confidentiality can be maintained.

1) This indicator reports absolute numbers, not a maternal mortality ratio. In many humanitarian contexts, the number of live births is too small or uncertain to calculate reliable ratios. Nonetheless, systematic counting of deaths remains essential and should be shared with health authorities.

 

2) The indicator should be interpreted together with service-delivery indicators (e.g. skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric care coverage).

 

3) Data collection must respect ethical standards, confidentiality, and “do no harm” principles.

4) The indicator is one of DG ECHO’s Key Outcome Indicators.