Application of geospatial analysis for mapping the distribution of severe maternal morbidities in eastern Ethiopia: The case of the Ethiopian obstetric surveillance system

This study highlights the value of leveraging geocoded surveillance data to conduct geospatial analyses to uncover spatial patterns. We found a higher rate of severe maternal morbidity in the larger cities, indicating that the urban population had better access to care during obstetric complications, while rural and remote areas with limited access might fail to come to hospitals when complications arise or die at home or lower-level facilities.