Unsafe Abortion as a Risk Factor for Maternal Mortality in Liberia

Abstract

Unsafe abortion is one of the main causes of maternal mortality and morbidity globally. Liberia has one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates. Despite these existing challenges, a drop in maternal mortality trend has been observed from 1500 for every 100,000 live births in 1990 to 1072 for every 100,000 live births in 2013 and 725 deaths for every 100,000 live births in 2015. However, the current estimate of 725 deaths per 100,000 live births is still far from 70 deaths per 100,000 births, which is the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 target. The 2013 Liberia Demographic Health Survey also estimated that Liberia’s median age at birth is 19 years. In Liberia, the adolescent birth rate is one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa and stands at 177/1000. It is estimated that 14% of maternal deaths occur in adolescents.