“Some very basic elements of human development related to water,
sanitation and hygiene that were accepted in the 19th and early
20th centuries are still unavailable to a large proportion of
pregnant women in the 21st century”, write the authors of a new
Simavi study . Each year 290,000 women die from complications
during pregnancy, birth and the neonatal period; and, an
estimated 10 to 20 million women suffer from related health
complications. Almost 90% of the maternal deaths occur in Sub-
Saharan Africa and South Asia. Much of this is preventable
through practices that have long been established. The Simavi
study reviews published literature describing the impact of
water, sanitation and hygiene on maternal health and mortality.
Two studies showed significant correlations between increased
access to water and sanitation and reductions in maternal
mortality. Specific evidence was found relating to the impact of
water carrying and water and sanitation-related infections on
pregnant women, and to the impact of