Maternal and perinatal health indicators from 2019 to 2022: Data from the POGS Nationwide Statistics System

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to present maternal and perinatal health indicators for the years 2019-2022. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional review that analyzed data on maternal and perinatal health indicators, generated from submissions of POGS-accredited hospitals (training and service) from January 2019 to December 2022. The data were compared to the national data obtained from official public documents published by the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2022 and 2023. RESULTS: The number of member hospitals has steadily increased over the years, and compliance rates have been consistently over 85%. The total number of registered cases and live births declined in 2020 and 2021, but has increased to prepandemic levels in 2022. The primary cesarean section (CS) rates remained above 20%, with the highest rate noted in 2021 (25.5%). The top three-most common indications for primary CS were dysfunctional labor, fetal distress, and malpresentation. Stillbirth, perinatal, and maternal mortality rates showed an increase from 2019 to 2022, with peak rates registered for the year 2021. The top five causes of maternal death are: medical complications, hemorrhage, hypertension, infection, and others (unspecified). The case fatality rate among pregnant patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection was 1.18%. CONCLUSION: From 2019 to 2021, there was a decline in the number of registered cases and live births, and an increase in the primary CS rates, maternal mortality ratio, perinatal death rates, and stillbirth rates. This may be explained by the prevailing social, health, and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during these years. Keywords: Census, COVID-19, maternal and perinatal health indicators