Evaluating the impact a proposed family planning model would have on maternal and infant mortality in Afghanistan

Ahmad Masoud Rahmani, Benjamin Wade, William Riley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the potential impact a proposed family planning model would have on reducing maternal and infant mortality in Afghanistan. Background: Afghanistan has a high total fertility rate, high infant mortality rate, and high maternal mortality rate. Afghanistan also has tremendous socio-cultural barriers to and misconceptions about family planning services. Methods: We applied predictive statistical models to a proposed family planning model for Afghanistan to better understand the impact increased family planning can have on Afghanistan's maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate. We further developed a sensitivity analysis that illustrates the number of maternal and infant deaths that can be averted over 5years according to different increases in contraceptive prevalence rates. Results: Incrementally increasing contraceptive prevalence rates in Afghanistan from 10% to 60% over the course of 5years could prevent 11653 maternal deaths and 317084 infant deaths, a total of 328737 maternal and infant deaths averted. Conclusion: Achieving goals in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in Afghanistan requires a culturally relevant approach to family planning that will be supported by the population. The family planning model for Afghanistan presents such a solution and holds the potential to prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)71-85
Number of pages15
JournalInternational Journal of Health Planning and Management
Volume30
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2015

Keywords

  • Afghanistan
  • Family planning
  • Infant mortality
  • Maternal mortality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Policy

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