Levels and trends of maternal mortality and underlying causes in Kenya

Ann Kiragu, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

In nearly the last three decades, an increased interest in maternal mortality has been taken by both researchers and the International Community. Strategies and targets to reduce maternal mortality have been set during various International Conferences. While some developing countries have managed to meet these targets, persistently high risks of maternal mortality remain one of the greatest health challenges that countries in sub-Saharan Africa continue to face. In Kenya, maternal mortality is a serious public health problem. Between 1990 and 2008, levels of maternal mortality in the country remained considerably high. What could have lead to such high levels? This paper focuses on measuring levels and trends of maternal mortality in Kenya between 1990 and 2008 as well as their determinants. Data from the last three KDHS surveys is used. Both individual and contextual factors are examined. Key words: maternal mortality, individual and contextual determinants, risk factors, DHS data, Kenya