INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

Bianca Eunice Rodriguez Valadez

Maternal mortality, defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth or

within 42 days after childbirth, is a crucial indicator of maternal health and a country's

socioeconomic development. Despite advances in healthcare and technology, maternal

mortality remains a persistent challenge in many countries, including Mexico. In this context,

one of the factors that has received significant attention in research on maternal mortality is

the age of the mother.

Maternal age has been recognized as an important factor that can influence maternal

health and pregnancy outcomes. Younger and older women may face unique challenges

during pregnancy and childbirth, which may increase their risk of serious complications and,

in extreme cases, maternal death. In Mexico, a country with significant demographic and

socioeconomic diversity, understanding how maternal age affects the maternal mortality rate

is critical to inform effective maternal health policies and programs.

Background

Mexico, a nation located in North America, has seen significant advances in terms of

healthcare and maternal health in recent decades. However, maternal mortality remains a

significant public health problem in the country. According to data from the National Institute

of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), the maternal mortality rate in Mexico was 33.9 deaths
per 100,000 live births in 2018. Despite efforts to improve maternal health care and promote

access to health services, maternal mortality continues to be a persistent concern in various

regions of the country. Maternal mortality in Mexico is influenced by a series of factors,

ranging from the accessibility and quality of medical care to socioeconomic and cultural

conditions. Among these factors, maternal age has emerged as an area of particular interest

due to its potential impact on maternal health and pregnancy outcomes.

Maternal age, both early and late, can significantly influence the risk of complications during

pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Pregnant teens may face unique challenges

due to their physical and emotional developmental status, as well as socioeconomic factors

that may limit their access to appropriate health care. On the other hand, older women,

especially those in advanced ages, may experience a higher risk of health-related

complications, such as hypertension, gestational diabetes, and obstetric complications.

Studies have shown that adolescent and older women have a higher risk of maternal mortality

compared to women of optimal reproductive age. Teenage girls may face a higher risk of

preterm birth, low birth weight, and obstetric complications, while older women may

experience pre-existing health problems that increase their risk of complications during

pregnancy and childbirth. Therefore, understanding how maternal age affects the maternal

mortality rate is essential to develop effective maternal health care and prevention strategies

in Mexico. The analysis of the relationship between maternal age and maternal mortality in

Mexico may have important implications for maternal health in the country. By

understanding how maternal age influences the risk of maternal mortality, higher risk groups

can be identified, and specific interventions developed to address their maternal health needs.
Additionally, this analysis can help inform maternal health policies and programs aimed at

reducing maternal mortality and improving maternal health outcomes in Mexico.

In summary, the relationship between maternal age and maternal mortality is an important

area of research in the context of maternal health in Mexico. By understanding how maternal

age affects the maternal mortality rate in the country, we can advance the prevention and care

of maternal mortality and improve maternal health outcomes in Mexico.

Research Question

The research question to inquire more about the problem is the following “How does
maternal age affect the maternal mortality in Mexico from 2019 - 2022?”

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is the following: maternal age will significantly influence the maternal death

rate in Mexico from 2019 to 2022. It is expected that younger mothers, particularly

adolescents, will have higher mortality rates due to increased risks associated with

incomplete physical development and limited healthcare access. Conversely, older mothers

may also exhibit higher mortality rates due to age-related health issues.

Variables

The variables found are the following

Dependent Variable – Maternal mortality

Other ones found are the following

1. Diseases before the pregnancy

2. Education

3. Time Period

4. Location

Control of Variables

1. Maternal Age (Independent Variable):

o Control for variations in maternal age distribution by ensuring a representative

sample across different age groups.

2. Maternal Mortality (Dependent Variable):

o Account for potential biases in reporting maternal deaths, such as

underreporting or misclassification, by validating data sources and cross-

referencing multiple data sets.

3. Diseases Before Pregnancy:

o Standardize the classification and diagnosis of diseases before pregnancy to

ensure consistency across the study.

4. Education:
 o Control for variations in education level by categorizing participants into

standardized education categories (e.g., primary, secondary, tertiary

education).

o Consider education level as a potential confounding variable and adjust for its

effects in statistical analyses.

5. Time Period:

o Control for temporal trends by collecting data within a specific time period

(e.g., 2019-2022) and ensuring consistency in data collection methods over

time.

6. Location:

o Control for geographic variations in maternal mortality rates by selecting a

representative sample of participants from diverse regions within the study

area (e.g., urban, rural, coastal, inland).

Apparatus and Materials

1. Database: Access to the database containing information on maternal mortality,

including data on maternal age, preexisting diseases before pregnancy, and other

relevant variables.

2. Computer: A computer or laptop with internet access and statistical software for data

analysis.

3. Statistical Software: Depending on your preference and familiarity, choose the

statistical software that best suits your analysis needs.

4. Internet Access: Reliable internet access to retrieve the database and access online

resources for literature review and background information.

Methods to collect Data

1. Identify the database containing the relevant information for the research on maternal

mortality, including data on maternal age, preexisting diseases before pregnancy. In

this case it was found the Governments online page.

2. Obtain necessary permissions or access rights to the database if required. This may

involve obtaining approval from the database owner or administrator.

3. Develop specific search criteria to retrieve the desired data from the database. Ensure

your queries are designed to extract relevant variables.

4. Execute the queries to retrieve the data from the database. Ensure that the retrieved

data include all relevant variables needed for your analysis.

5. Review the retrieved data to identify any errors, inconsistencies, or missing values.

Clean the data by correcting errors and addressing any missing information. Validate

the data to ensure its accuracy and completeness.

6. Store the cleaned and prepared data securely in a format suitable for analysis. This

may involve saving the data in a excel spreadsheet.

7. Document the data collection process, including details such as the database source,

query parameters, and any data cleaning or transformation steps performed.

To enhance the organization of our data, we opted to categorize the information into distinct

age brackets, aiming to provide a clearer depiction of mortality patterns concerning maternal

age. These brackets were delineated at five-year intervals, allowing for a more detailed

analysis of the relationship between maternal age and mortality frequency.

Table 1. Demonstration of the maternity deaths between the years 2019-2022

Now that it has been demonstrated, it is to be arranged in a graphic way.

Data Presentation

We found that the 20-29 age group exhibited a significantly elevated maternal mortality

rate compared to other age groups. This observation is particularly concerning, as the 20-29

age group is commonly considered the "childbearing age" of women, and would be

expected to have lower rates of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.However,

our findings indicate that this age group faces significant challenges in terms of maternal
 health, suggesting the need for specific interventions targeting this demographic.

Maternal Mortality
1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0
10 to 14 15 to 19 20 to 24 25 to 29 30 to 34 35 to 39 40 to 44 45 to 49 55 years
years years years years years years years years and
older

Graph 1. Presenting the maternity deaths between the years 2019-2022

Similar to the 20-29 age group, the 30-34 age group also showed a high maternal mortality

rate in our analysis. This is particularly notable as women in this age range can be considered

relatively young and therefore might be expected to have lower complication rates compared

to older age groups. However, our results suggest that women aged 30 to 34 also face

significant risks in terms of maternal health, underscoring the importance of addressing the

specific needs of this age group in maternal health policies and programs.
 Maternal Mortality in 2019-2022

15 to 19 years 20 to 24 years 25 to 29 years 30 to 34 years

Graph 2. Presenting the maternity deaths between the years 2019-2022

Conclusion

The study on the influence of maternal age on the maternal mortality rate in Mexico during

the period from 2019 to 2022 has provided significant insight into the challenges and

complexities related to maternal health in the country. By analyzing available data and

exploring relationships between maternal age and maternal mortality, we have identified

patterns and trends that offer valuable information to improve maternal health policies and

practices in Mexico.

First, our findings support the premise that maternal age plays a crucial role in maternal

health, but in a more complex way than initially anticipated. Contrary to our initial hypothesis,

which suggested that younger mothers, particularly adolescents, would have higher maternal

mortality rates due to the risks associated with incomplete physical development and limited
access to health care, we found that this relationship is not as direct as thought. While it is

true that the 20 to 29 age group has higher maternal mortality rates, it is also evident that

women ages 30 to 34 share this risk, suggesting that other factors may be at play beyond

biological age.

A plausible explanation for this phenomenon lies in the concept of family planning and

access to adequate medical care. As couples more consciously plan to conceive and raise

their children at older ages, they may seek more intensive medical care and be better prepared

to meet the challenges of motherhood. Therefore, although biological age remains an

important factor in maternal health, family planning and access to health care can mitigate

the risks associated with childbearing at older ages.

In summary, while our initial hypothesis regarding the influence of maternal age on maternal

mortality in Mexico was not fully confirmed, the findings of our study offer a more nuanced

perspective on this issue and underscore the need for comprehensive and multifaceted

approaches to address the challenges of maternal health in the country. By continuing to

research and work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders, we can move toward the shared

goal of reducing maternal mortality and improving maternal health for all women in Mexico.

Improvements

There are several potential improvements that could be made to enhance the quality and rigor

of the study. Firstly, incorporating multivariate analysis could provide a more comprehensive

understanding. While the study focused on the relationship between maternal age and
maternal mortality, considering the influence of other factors such as socioeconomic status,

access to healthcare, and preexisting health conditions would allow for a more nuanced

exploration of the factors contributing to maternal mortality.

Secondly, conducting a longitudinal analysis over a longer time period could provide insights

into trends and changes in maternal mortality rates over time. By examining data over

multiple years, it would be possible to identify temporal patterns and assess the impact of

interventions or policy changes on maternal health outcomes.

Thirdly, conducting subgroup analysis based on factors such as parity, geographical location,

and type of healthcare facility could reveal variations in maternal mortality rates among

different population groups. This would help tailor interventions to address the specific needs

of vulnerable populations.

Finally, conducting validation and sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the findings

and the impact of potential data errors or assumptions would enhance the reliability and

credibility of the study results. Overall, by incorporating these improvements, future research

on maternal mortality could yield more comprehensive and nuanced insights, ultimately

contributing to more effective interventions and policies aimed at improving maternal health

outcomes.
Bibliography

Mortalidad materna. (n.d.).

http://www.dgis.salud.gob.mx/contenidos/basesdedatos/da_muertematerna_gobmx.

html

World Health Organization: WHO. (2024, April 02). Mortalidad materna.

https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-mortality

Barranquero Gómez, M., Sánchez Jordán, J. M., & Suárez, J. (2024, March 2). ¿Cuál es la

mejor edad biológica para ser madre primeriza? ¿Por qué? Reproducción Asistida

ORG. https://www.reproduccionasistida.org/la-edad-para-ser-madre/

Website, N. (2023, October 31). Pregnancy. nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/

World Health Organization: WHO. (2024, April 26). Maternal mortality.

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-

mortality/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyJqzBhBaEiwAWDRJVIUEI0m5Wfk

boYwoEIPilFMcchVUGH1bkdIOcgi6i_OQT1LiBjzxbxoC1J4QAvD_BwE