Obstetric transition: trends in maternal mortality in Somalia over the last two decades

BACKGROUND: This paper sheds light on the trends of the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and obstetric transition in Somalia over the last two decades. METHODS: This is a descriptive study comparing aggregate secondary data from the 2006 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey and the 2020 Somali Health and Demographic Survey to show the transition. RESULTS: A 44% reduction of the MMR from 1044 to 692 per 100 000 live births was observed comparing the two surveys. CONCLUSIONS: Somalia has moved from stage I to stage II of the obstetric transition pathway spectrum and there is optimism that the ongoing strengthening of the health system is paying off.