Identification of Determinants and Risk Areas for Maternal Morbidity and Mortality and Intervention Strategies in Jujuy Province

Abstract

The reproductive process is an important circumstance in personal and family life. Although it is often a source of satisfaction and human fulfillment, it sometimes entails health risks, especially for women. Hence, the purpose of this research is to describe the factors that increase the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality, with the expectation of providing information that may facilitate decision-making in provincial health-care services.

To this end, the study analyzes the importance of factors such as place of residence according to geographic areas of the province and women’s age, as well as their relationship with the presence of undesired health outcomes, such as puerperal infections, hemorrhages, tears, or other obstetric complications, including maternal mortality. This information will be presented in due course to the authorities of health institutions.

From a qualitative perspective, the study investigates and interprets the attitudes and interests of the different actors within Maternal Health Services regarding the risk factors that may be present in the population under their care. This is relevant because the response they offer to the population for which they are responsible is closely linked to the concept of health-disease they have constructed.

An ecological and integrative perspective, one that considers the personal, family, cultural, and geographic conditions in which people’s lives unfold, is fundamental for deciding the most appropriate actions for the prevention of illness or death among women and for the individual and collective construction of the path toward health.