Maternal Morbidity During Pregnancy in Bangladesh: Evidence from the 2019 Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

Abstract

Maternal morbidity is a significant public health problem, particularly in developing countries, accounting three-fourth of the maternal deaths. There is dearth of information about maternal morbidity in Bangladesh. This study examined the prevalence and determinants of maternal morbidity during pregnancy in Bangladesh. Data for the study was extracted from the 2019 Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), which covered a nationally representative sample of 64,378 ever-married women aged 15-49 years. For analyzing the maternal morbidity during pregnancy, a subsample of 2,722 married women who were pregnant at the time of survey was considered in this study. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including multiple regression technique were used for data analysis. Negative Binomial regression model was used for investigating the determinants of morbidity, considering the number of morbidities (a count variable) as outcome variable. The results indicate that about 13% women experienced at least one of the pregnancy related morbidity, while 14% women reported that they experienced at least two morbid conditions during their last pregnancy. Overall, 1.2% of the women faced life-threating morbidity seizure or convulsion, 4.8% increased blood pressure, and 7.4% eclampsia during pregnancy. Blurred vision (12.8%) and high fever (10.2%) were the two most frequently cited maternal morbidity in Bangladesh. The findings of this study reveals multiparity (IRR=1.52, p=001), urban place of residence (IRR=1.18, p=0.047), administrative division, media exposure (IRR=1.24, p=0.004), unwanted pregnancy, migrants, and ethnic non-Bengali as the significant predictors of maternal morbidity during pregnancy in Bangladesh. The findings of this study have important implications for public health program in Bangladesh for further improvement of maternal and newborn health and survival. It is important to take adequate measure for implementing early and adequate number of antenatal care visits for early identification and treatment of pregnancy related morbidities. A greater understanding of the identified risk factors of maternal morbidity and incorporating them into short and long term health strategies would help improve the coverage and contents and thus quality of antenatal care services in Bangladesh.