The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2008;10:3:177-182
doi: 10.1576/toag.10.3.177.27421
Copyright © 2008 by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Increased risk of maternal death among ethnic minority women in the UK
Charles Anawo Ameh, DRH FWACS (Obs & Gyn), Sexual and Reproductive Health Technical Advisor1 and
Nynke van den Broek, PhD DTM & H FRCOG, Senior Clinical Lecturer in Sexual and Reproductive Health2
1. Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
2. Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK Email: vdbroek{at}liverpool.ac.uk (corresponding author)
Key content:
- The most recent CEMACH report indicates that the UK maternal mortality rate has not fallen in recent years.
- This was attributed, in part, to increasing numbers of deaths amongst immigrant women.
- It is likely that newly-arrived refugees are affected most.
Learning objectives:
- To be able to identify the factors contributing to the increased maternal mortality and morbidity.
- To review the published evidence for effectiveness of interventions.
- To identify appropriate research groups and organisations.
Ethical issues:
- There is evidence to suggest that the care given to women from ethnic minority backgrounds, especially asylum seekers and newly-arrived refugees, is substandard.
Please cite this article as: Ameh CA, van den Broek N. Increased risk of maternal death among ethnic minority women in the UK. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2008;10:177–182.
Keywords access to care / ethnic minority women / maternity services / refugees / travellers
Copyright © 2008 by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.