Community based interventions to reduce maternal mortality

Christina Pagel and colleagues (Oct 24, p 1441) present a model which examines the effects of achieving levels of coverage with misoprostol and antibiotics on two major causes of maternal death in sub-Saharan Africa. The model projects significant mortality reductions, but the costs and implementation processes for achieving the required supply and use in the community are not addressed.
This omission leads to the risk of premature overenthusiasm. Before concluding that this model could “transform attitudes to maternal health” we need research to show how, and at what cost, the required levels of coverage can be achieved and sustained. [Excerpt]