Useful Articles
Overview
Read some of the major articles on maternal and newborn health organized by topic.
EmOC programming and field experience
Maternal mortality in low-income countries: what interventions have been evaluated and how should the evidence base be developed further? Burchett HE, Mayhew SH. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2009;105(1):78-81.
Practical lessons from global safe motherhood initiatives: time for a new focus on implementation. Freedman, LP, Graham WJ, Brazier E, Smith JM, et al. The Lancet. 2007;370(1):1383-1391.
Where there is no anesthetist - increasing capacity for emergency obstetric care in rural India: An evaluation of a pilot program to train general doctors. Mavalankar D, Callahan K, Sriram V, Singh P, Desai, A. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2009;107(3):283-288.
Perinatal audit using the 3-delays model in western Tanzania. Mbaruku G, van Roosmalen J, Kimondo I, Bilango F, Bergström S. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2009;106(1):85-88.
Maternal death review in Africa. Pearson L, deBernis L, Shoo R. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2009;106(1):89-94.
Using audits to reduce the incidence of uterine rupture in a Malawian district hospital. van den Akker T, Mwagomba B, Irlam J, van Roosmalen J. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2009;107(3):289-294.
Promoting accountability in obstetric care: use of criteria-based audit in Viet Nam. Bailey PE, Binh HT, Bang HT. Global Public Health. 2009;5(1):62–74.
Cost of emergency obstetric care: concepts and issues. Desai J. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2003;81:74-82.
Strengthening emergency obstetric care in Ayacucho, Peru. Kayongo M, Esquiche E, Luna MR, Frias G, Vega-Centeno L, Bailey PE. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2006;92:299-307.
Evidence-based strategies for prevention of maternal mortality. Maine D, Paxton A. In: Johanson R, Daya S, eds. Evidence-based Obstetrics. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
The evidence base for emergency obstetric care. Paxton A, Maine D, Freedman L, Fry D, Lobis S. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2005;88(2):181-193.
Reducing maternal mortality in Yemen: challenges and lessons learned from baseline assessment. Al Serouri, AW, Al Rabee A, Bin Afif M, Al Rukeimi A. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2009;105(1):86-91.
Where there is no obstetrician - increasing capacity for emergency obstetric care in rural India: an evaluation of a pilot program to train general doctors. Evans CL, Maine D, McCloskey L, Feeley FG, Sanghvi H. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2009;107(3):277-282.
Confidential inquiries into maternal deaths: modifications and adaptations in Ghana and Indonesia. Hussein J, D'Ambruoso L, Armar-Klemesu M, et al. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2009;106(1):80-84.
Saving mothers and newborns through an innovative partnership with private sector obstetricians: Chiranjeevi scheme of Gujarat, India. Mavalankar D, Singh A, Patel SR, Desai A, Singh PV. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2009;107(3):271-276.
Reducing maternal mortality among Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Purdin S, Khan T, Saucier R. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2009;105(1):82-85.
Women's preferences for place of delivery in rural Tanzania: a population-based discrete choice experiment. Kruk ME, Paczkowski M, Mbaruku G, de Pinho H, Galea S. American Journal of Public Health. 2009;99(9):1666-72.
The disappearing art of instrumental delivery: time to reverse the trend. Bailey PE. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2005;91:89-96.
Atendimento de emergencia para gravidez e parto. De la Fuente M, Bailey PE. Mulher e Saude. 2001:6-8
Planning and implementing a program of renovations of emergency obstetric care facilities: experiences in Rajasthan, India. Dwivedi H, Mavalankar D, Abreu E, Srinivasan V. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2002;78:283-291.
Editorial: Emergency obstetric care; the keystone in the arch of safe motherhood. Fortney JA. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2001;74:95-97.
Experience from Bangladesh: implementing emergency obstetric care as part of the reproductive health agenda. Gill Z, Ahmed JU. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2004;85:213-220.
A Tool for assessing 'readiness' in emergency obstetric care: the room-by-room 'walk through'. Gill Z, Bailey PE, Waxman R, Smith JB. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2005;89:191-199.
The effect of addressing demand for as well as supply of emergency obstetric care in Dinajpur, Bangladesh. Hossain J and Ross SR. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2006;92:320-328.
Where there is no anaesthetist: caesarean section under local anaesthesia- an effective alternative. Iyer NS, Mavalankar, Dileep V. Rural Surgery (Official Publication of The Association of Rural Surgeons of India). July 2004;11(3):12-18.
Improving availability of EmOC services in Rwanda—CARE’s experiences and lessons learned at Kabgayi Referral Hospital. Kayongo M, Butera J, Mboninyibuka D, Nyiransabimana B, Ntezimana A, and Mukangamuje V. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2006;92:291-298.
Making EmOC a reality—CARE’s experiences in areas of high maternal mortality in Africa. Kayongo M, Rubardt M, Butera J, Abdullah M, Mboninyibuka D and Madili M. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2006;92:308-319.
The safe motherhood initiative: why has it stalled? Maine D, Rosenfield A. American Journal of Public Health. Aprill 1999;89:4.
What’s so special about maternal mortality? Maine D. In: Berer M, Sundari Ravindran TK, eds. Safe Motherhood Initiatives: Critical Issues. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Science for Reproductive Health Matters; 1999:175-182.
Maternal mortality and morbidity. Maine D, McGinn T. In: Goldman MB, Hatch MC, eds. Women and Health. San Diego, CA: Academic Press; 2000:395-403.
The AMDD program: history, focus and structure. Maine D, Rosenfield A. Averting maternal death and disability. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. August 2001;74(2):99-103.
Maternal mortality: global similarities and differences. Maine D, Chavkin W. Journal of the American Medical Women’s Association. 2002;57(3):127-130.
Policy and management constraints on access to and use of life-saving EmOC in India. Mavalankar DV. Journal of the American Medical Women’s Association. 2002;57(3):165-166.
Concepts and techniques for planning and implementing a program for renovation of an emergency obstetric facility. Mavalankar DV, Abreu E. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2002;78:263-273.
Managing equipment for emergency obstetric care in rural hospitals. Mavalankar DV, Raman P, Dwivedi H, Jain ML. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2004;87:88-97.
Quality of care in institutional deliveries: the paradox of the Dominican Republic: a commentary on management. Mavalankar DV. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2003;82:107-110.
Efficient and effective emergency obstetric care in a rural Indian community where most deliveries are at home. McCord C, Premkumar R, Arole S and Arole R. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2001;75:297-307.
A cost effective small hospital in Bangladesh: what it can mean for emergency obstetric care. McCord C, Chowdhury Q. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2003;81:83-92.
EmOC indicators
The availability of life-saving obstetric services in developing countries: an in-depth look at the signal functions for emergency obstetric care. Bailey PE, Paxton A, Lobis S, Fry D. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2006;93:285-291.
Can the process indicators for emergency obstetric care assess the progress of maternal mortality reduction programs? An examination of UNFPA projects 2000-2004. Fauveau V and Donnay F. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2006;93:308-316.
Research note: Estimating maternal deaths averted: A field-based methodology. Maine D, Paxton A, Bailey PE, Patterson G. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2005;89:218-220.
Global patterns in availability of emergency obstetric care. Paxton A, Bailey PE, Lobis S, Fry D. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2006;93:300-307.
Program note: Using UN process indicators in emergency obstetric services: Bhutan, Cameroon, and Rajasthan, India. AMDD Working Group on Indicators. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2002;77:277-284.
Program note: Using UN process indicators to assess needs in emergency obstetric services: Pakistan, Peru and Vietnam. AMDD Working Group on Indicators. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2002;78:275-282.
Program note: using UN process indicators to assess needs in emergency obstetric services: Morocco, Nicaragua and Sri Lanka. AMDD Working Group on Indicators. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2003;80:222-230.
Program note: using UN process indicators to assess needs in emergency obstetric services: Niger, Rwanda and Tanzania. AMDD Working Group on Indicators. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2003;83:112-120.
Program note: using UN process indicators to assess needs in emergency obstetric services: Benin and Chad. AMDD Working Group on Indicators. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2004;86:110-120.
Program Note: using UN process indicators to assess needs in emergency obstetric services (Mozambique, Nepal and Senegal). Bailey PE, Paxton A. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2002;76:299-305.
Program note: using UN process indicators to assess needs in emergency obstetric services: Bolivia, El Salvador and Honduras. Bailey PE, Paxton A. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2005;89:221-230.
Measuring maternal mortality? Fortney JA, Smith JB. In: Berer M, Ravindran TKS, eds. Safe Motherhood Initiatives: Critical Issues. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Science for Reproductive Health Matters; 2000:43-50.
Improvement of coverage and utilization of EmOC services in southwestern Bangladesh. Islam MT, Hossain MM, Islam MA and Haque YA. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2005;91:298-305.
Program note: applying the UN Process indicators for emergency obstetric care to the United States. Lobis S, Fry D, Paxton A. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2005; 88:203-207.
UN Process Indicators: key to measuring maternal mortality reduction. Meyers J, Lobis S and Dakkak H. Forced Migration Review. January 2004;19:16-18.
Availability and use of emergency obstetric services: Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, and Uganda. Pearson L and Shoo R. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2005;88:208-215.
Process indicators for maternal mortality programs. Wardlaw T, Maine D. In: Berer M, Ravindran TKS, eds. Safe Motherhood Initiatives: Critical Issues. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Science for Reproductive Health Matters; 1999:24-30.
Capacity building
Recommendations for renovating an operating theater at an emergency obstetric care facility. Abreu E, Potter D. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2001;75(3): 287-94.
The Network Value Chain. Bloom E, Reeves M, and Leonard A. Capacity Development Briefs. World Bank Institute. February 2009
Capacity Change and Performance: Capacity development: between planned interventions and emergent processes: Implications for development cooperation. Land T, Hauck V, and Baser H. European Centre for Development Policy Management. March 2009
Networks and capacity and for life: An analysis of capacity and change in a Brazilian network. Taschereau. S, and Bolger J. European Centre for Development Policy Management . 2007.
Health systems
Who’s Got the Power: Strengthening Health Systems for Women and Children. Final Report of the UN Millennium Project Task Force on Child Health and Maternal Health. Freedman LP, Waldman R, de Pinho H, Wirth M, Chowdhury AMR, Rosenfield A. New York: UNDP. 2005. (Full report and summary available.)
Are doctors and nurses associated with coverage of essential health services in developing countries? A cross-sectional study. Kruk M, Prescott M, de Pinho H, Galea S. Human Resources for Health. 2009;7:27.
Assessing health system performance in developing countries: A review of the literature. Kruk ME, Freedman LP. Health Policy. March 2008;85:263-276.
Rebuilding health systems to improve health and promote state building in post-conflict countries: a theoretical framework and research agenda. Kruk ML, Freedman G, Anglin R, Waldman. Social Science Medicine. (Accepted for publication in 2010).
On the “Rights” Track: The Importance of a rights-based approach to reducing maternal deaths. De Pinho H. In: Clapham A, Robinson M, eds. Realizing the Right to Health:Swiss Human Rights Book Vol.3. University of Zurich; 2009.
Drilling Down: Strengthening local health systems to address global health crises. Freedman L. In: Clapham A, Robinson M, eds. Realizing the Right to Health: Swiss Human Rights Book Vol.3. University of Zurich; 2009.
Measuring progress towards the MDG for Maternal Health: Including a measure of the health system’s capacity to treat obstetric complications. Bailey PE, Paxton A, Lobis S, Fry D. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2006;93:292-299.
Strategic advocacy and maternal mortality: Moving targets and the Millennium Development Goals. Freedman LP. Gender and Development. 2003;11(1):97-108. Also printed in Kerr J, Sweetman C, eds. Women Reinventing Globalisation. Oxford: Oxfam GB; 2003.
Background Paper of the Task Force on Child Health and Maternal Health. Freedman LP, Wirth M, Waldman R, Chowdhury M, Rosenfield A. Prepared for the Millennium Project Task Force on Child Health and Maternal Health. 2003.
Interim Report of the Task Force on Child Health and Maternal Health. Freedman LP, Wirth M, Waldman R, Chowdhury M, Rosenfield A. Prepared for the Millennium Project Task Force on Child Health and Maternal Health. 2004.
Achieving the MDGs: health systems as core social institutions. Freedman LP. Development. 2005;48(1):19-24.
Transforming health systems to improve the lives of women and children. Freedman LP, Waldman R, de Pinho H, Wirth M, Chowdury AMR, Rosenfield A. The Lancet. March 12, 2005;365:997-1000.
New Approaches in Health Systems to Attain the MDGs. Achieving the Internationally Agreed Development Goals: Dialogues at the Economic and Social Council. Freedman LP. United Nations, New York. 2005.
Maternal Mortality in Resource-Poor Settings: policy Barriers to Care. Mavalankar DV, Rosenfield A. American Journal of Public Health. February 2005;95(2):200-203.
A sector-wide approach to emergency obstetric care in Uganda. Orinda V, Kakande H, Kabarangira J, Nanda G, and Mbonye AK. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2005; 91: 285-291
Making Motherhood Safe in Developing Countries. Rosenfield A, Min C, Freedman LP. New England Journal of Medicine. April 5, 2007;356(14):1395-1397.
Human rights
Health system strengthening: New potential for public health and human rights collaboration. Freedman LP. Reproductive Health Matters. 2007;15(30):219–220.
Shifting visions: “delegation” policies and the building of a “rights-based” approach to maternal mortality. Freedman LP. Journal of the American Medical Women’s Association. 2002;57(3):154-158.
Human rights, constructive accountability and maternal mortality in the Dominican Republic: A commentary. Freedman LP. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2003;82:111–114.
Strategic advocacy and maternal mortality: Moving targets and the Millennium Development Goals. Freedman LP. Gender and Development. 2003;11(1):97-108.
Achieving the MDGs: Health systems as core social institutions. Freedman LP. Development. 2005;48(1):19–24.
Using human rights in maternal mortality programs: from analysis to strategy. Freedman LP. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2001;75:51-60.
Human rights and women’s health. In: Goldman MB, Hatch MC, eds. Freedman LP. Women and Health: Section 5 International Women’s Health. Academic Press; 2000.
Human resources
Postoperative outcome of caesarean sections and other major emergency obstetric surgery by clinical officers and medical officers in Malawi. Chilopora G, et al. Human Resources for Health. 2007;5(1):17.
Addressing the health workforce crisis: towards a common approach. Dal Poz M, et al. Human Resources for Health. 2006;4(1):21.
Using mid-level cadres as substitutes for internationally mobile health professionals in Africa: a desk review. Dovlo D. Human Resources for Health. 2004;2(1):7.
Human resources for health in the low-resource world: Collaborative practice and task shifting in maternal and neonatal care. FIGO. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2009;105(1):74-76.
Shifting visions: "delegation" policies and the building of a "rights-based" approach to maternal mortality. Freedman LP. Journal of the American Medical Women's Association. 2002;54(3):154-158.
Economic evaluation of surgically trained assistant medical officers in performing major obstetric surgery in Mozambique. Kruk ME, et al. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2007;114(10):1253-1260.
Reducing maternal mortality in Kigoma, Tanzania. Mbaruku G, Bergstrom S. Health Policy and Planning. 1995;10(1):71-8.
Non-physician clinicians in 47 sub-Saharan African countries. Mullan F, Frehywot S. The Lancet. 2008;370(9605):2158-2163.
A comparative study of caesarean deliveries by assistant medical officers and obstetricians in Mozambique. Pereira C, et al. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 1996;103(6):508-512.
Meeting the need for emergency obstetric care in Mozambique: work performance and histories of medical doctors and assistant medical officers trained for surgery. Pereira C, et al. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2007;114(12);1530-1533.
Who will do the caesareans when there is no doctor? Finding creative solutions to the human resource crisis. Bergstrom S. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2005;112(9):1168-1169.
Mid-level providers in emergency obstetric and newborn health care: factors affecting their performance and retention within the Malawian health system. Bradley S, McAuliffe E. Human Resources for Health. 2009;7(1):14.
Major surgery delegation to mid-level health practitioners in Mozambique: health professionals' perceptions. Cumbi A, et al. Human Resources for Health. 2007;5(1):27.
Mid-level health workers - The state of the evidence on programmes, activities, costs and impact on health outcomes - A literature review. Lehmann U. Geneva: WHO, Department of Human Resources for Health; 2008.
Bypassing health centres in Tanzania: revealed preferences for quality. Leonard KL, GR Mliga, Mariam DH. Journal of African Economies. 2003;11(4):441-471.
Measuring and managing the work environment of the mid-level provider - the neglected human resource. McAuliffe E, et al. Human Resources for Health. 2009;7(1):13.
The quality of emergency obstetrical surgery by assistant medical officers in Tanzanian district hospitals. McCord C, et al. Health Affairs. 2009;28(5):w876-885.
Task shifting in health care in resource-poor countries. McPake B, Mensah K. The Lancet. 2008;372(9642):870-871.
Joint Health Professions Statement on Task Shifting. Midwives ICo, et al. 2008.
Shortage of health workers in the Malawian public health services system: how do parliamentarians perceive the problem? Muula AS. African Journal of Health Sciences. 2006;13(1-2):124-30.
Nurses’ experiences of recruitment and immigration from developing countries: a phenomenological approach. Troy PH, Wyness PH, McAuliffe E. Human Resources for Health. 2007;5(1):15.
Training medical assistants for surgery. Vaz F, et al. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 1999;77(8):688-691.
Addis Ababa Declaration. WHO, PEPFAR, UNAIDS. International Conference on Task Shifting. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2008.
Caring that counts: The evidence base for the effectiveness of nursing and midwifery interventions. Wold JL, et al. Commonwealth Steering Committee for Nursing and Midwifery & Lillian Carter Center for International Nursing; 2003.
Implementation science
The Science of Large-Scale Change in Global Health. McCannon JC, Berwick and Massoud MR. JAMA. October 2007; 298: 1937 - 1939.
Implementation Research: A Synthesis of the Literature. Fixsen DL, Naoom SF, Blase KA, Friedman R M and Wallace F. Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute. 2005.
Referral
Maternity referral systems in developing countries: current knowledge and future research needs. Murray SF, Pearson SC. Social Science & Medicine. 2006;62:2205–2215.
Emergency obstetric care and referral: experience of two midwife-led health centres in rural Rajasthan, India. Iyengar K, Iyengar SD. Reproductive Health Matters. 2009;17(33):9–20.
Bypassing primary care facilities for childbirth: a population-based study in rural Tanzania. Kruk ME, Mbaruku G, McCord CW, Moran M, Rockers PC, Galea S. Health Policy and Planning. 2009;24:279–288.
Systems science
Systems Thinking for Health System Strengthening Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Management. Edited by Don de Savigny and Taghreed Adam. World Health Organization. 2009
denotes AMDD publications.
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