Most maternal deaths are preventable, as the health-care solutions to prevent or manage complications are well known. All women need access to high quality care in pregnancy, and during and after childbirth. Maternal health and newborn health are closely linked. It is particularly important that all births are attended by skilled health professionals, as timely...

Women die as a result of complications during and following pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these complications develop during pregnancy and most are preventable or treatable. Other complications may exist before pregnancy but are worsened during pregnancy, especially if not managed as part of the woman’s care. The major complications that account for nearly 75%...

Where do maternal deaths occur? The high number of maternal deaths in some areas of the world reflects inequalities in access to quality health services and highlights the gap between rich and poor. The MMR in low income countries in 2017 is 462 per 100 000 live births versus 11 per 100 000 live births in high...

Facts and figures tell us a lot of things we need to know about vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children and adolescents. Mortality figures and Maternal health 94% of all maternal deaths occur in low and lower middle-income countries. Young adolescents (ages 10-14) face a higher risk of complications and death as a result...

FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION Long-term complications • urinary problems (painful urination, urinary tract infections); • vaginal problems (discharge, itching, bacterial vaginosis and other infections • menstrual problems (painful menstruations, difficulty in passing menstrual blood, etc.) • scar tissue and keloid • sexual problems (pain during intercourse, decreased satisfaction, etc.) increased risk of childbirth complications (difficult delivery,...

Female Genital Mutilation Immediate complications • severe pain • excessive bleeding (haemorrhage) • genital tissue swelling • fever • infections e.g., tetanus • urinary problems • wound healing problems • injury to surrounding genital tissue • shock • death

Female Genital Mutilation Key facts • Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. • The practice has no health benefits for girls and women. • FGM can cause severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, infections,...

The Health of Adolescents Adolescence is the phase of life between childhood and adulthood, from ages 10 to 19. It is a unique stage of human development and an important time for laying the foundations of good health. Adolescents experience rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth. This affects how they feel, think, make decisions, and...

    Sexual health Sexual health is fundamental to the overall health and well-being of individuals, couples and families, and to the social and economic development of communities and countries. Sexual health, when viewed affirmatively, requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and...

Factors that contribute to adolescent pregnancies  Adolescent pregnancies are a global problem occurring in high-middle-and low-income countries  Around the world, however, adolescent pregnancies are more likely to occur in marginalized communities.  It is commonly driven by poverty and lack of education and employment opportunities  In many societies, girls are under pressure...