Maternal and Neonatal Death Review (MNDR): A Useful Approach to Identifying Appropriate and Effective Maternal and Neonatal Health Initiatives in Bangladesh

Objectives: To identify the effects of Maternal and Neonatal Death Review (MNDR) in terms of improving maternal and neonatal health at the community level in Bangladesh. Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative methods were undertaken for collecting data in Kashipur Union, Bangladesh. Death notifications from households, subsequent data collections from a focus-group discussion (FGD), a group discussion (GD) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were obtained using structured tools and guidelines. Results: A total of four maternal deaths, 21 neonatal deaths and 15 still births were reported in the MNDR death notification system at Kashipur Union in 2010. Data were presented to local programme managers, who took various initiatives including awareness programmes, pregnancy registration, antenatal care, birth planning, and also the revitalization of a community clinic. The coverage of antenatal care, delivery in clinics, postnatal care and referral of complications increased through the active participation of the community. Community healthcare providers, care recipients and members of the community expressed satisfaction with the quality of maternal and neonatal services. In the preceding two years, maternal and neonatal deaths substantially reduced in Kashipur (in 2011 maternal death = 1, neonatal death = 20, still birth = 8; in 2012 maternal death = 1, neonatal death = 8, still birth = 13). Conclusions: The MNDR system successfully delivered notification of all maternal and neonatal deaths in the defined area and collected information for the formulation and implementation of specific interventions, which resulted in visible and tangible changes in care-seeking and client satisfaction. Corresponding author.