Maasai Teenage Girls at Risk: Maternal Complications and Deaths Highlight Urgent Need for Change
In the Maasai community, Maasai teenage girls face significant dangers when they are forced into early marriages. These young girls not only risk their lives during childbirth, but they also suffer from debilitating complications such as obstetric fistula. These issues underscore the urgent need for change in the community’s practices and policies.
Belinda Mumbuli, the maternity and child health coordinator for the Arusha Region, revealed that in 2022, 9.6 percent of women who gave birth in the region were under the age of 20. These young girls often experience various complications before and during childbirth, including obstructed labor and the development of fistulas, hypertensive disorders, anemia, and postpartum hemorrhage—a condition that sometimes leads to death.
The main causes of these complications are uterine atony, retained placenta, genital tract lacerations, and coagulation disorders. These issues contribute to the high maternal mortality rates seen in the Maasai community. Tragically, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 287,000 women died during or following pregnancy and childbirth in 2020. The majority of these deaths occurred in low and lower-middle-income countries, with sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia accounting for around 87 percent of the estimated global maternal deaths.
In low-income countries, women face a significantly higher risk of maternal death compared to those in high-income countries. A woman’s lifetime risk of maternal death is much higher in low-income countries, standing at 1 in 49, compared to just 1 in 5300 in high-income countries. These statistics are deeply concerning and highlight the urgent need for improved healthcare solutions and access to high-quality care for pregnant women and new mothers.
The WHO emphasizes the importance of preventing unintended pregnancies in order to reduce maternal deaths. They also stress the need for all women to have access to high-quality care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. Skilled health professionals must be present during all births to ensure timely management and treatment of any complications that may arise.
Specific measures can be taken to significantly reduce the risk of maternal deaths. For instance, administering oxytocin immediately after childbirth can effectively reduce the risk of severe bleeding. Furthermore, good hygiene practices and timely recognition and treatment of infection after childbirth can eliminate the risk of postpartum infection complications. It is also vital to detect and manage pre-eclampsia to prevent life-threatening complications.
Efforts are being made by individuals in the community to address these pressing issues. Anna Simeil, a midwife from the Oltetesi area of the Longido District, has stopped performing female genital mutilation and now focuses on providing midwifery services. She encourages families to seek safe delivery in hospitals when complications arise.
Rose Njiro, the executive director of an organization that aids Maasai girls and women in Manyara and Arusha regions, shares a similar sentiment. Having experienced the challenges of early marriage herself, Njiro is committed to saving girls from similar situations. Tragically, she lost a 14-year-old girl recently due to excessive bleeding during childbirth. Njiro’s organization provides support and assistance to girls and women who face the risks associated with early marriage and childbirth.
The plight of Maasai teenage girls in the face of maternal complications and deaths highlights the need for urgent change in the community. By improving access to healthcare services, providing education about family planning, and promoting safe deliveries in hospitals, it is possible to save countless lives and ensure better outcomes for both mothers and newborns. Efforts must continue to protect the rights and well-being of young girls in the Maasai community, allowing them to lead healthier and more empowered lives.
