Africa and Asia account for 11 in 13 premature births, WHO reports
Around 11 in 13 premature births occur in Africa, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported.
It is currently estimated that around ten per cent of all births worldwide are premature, though this latest data released by the UN agency shows that women carrying a child in the developed world are significantly more likely to go through to a full term than women in the developing world.
In particular, the WHO's latest reproductive health figures show southern Africa to be a hotspot for premature births, with 17.5 per cent of all global cases occurring in this region, while Central Asia accounts for 3.8 per cent.
Notably, poverty and a lack of comprehensive healthcare mean that, while babies being born at 32 weeks developed countries are now just as likely to survive as those born at full term, in the developing world, being born at 32 weeks remains effectively a death sentence.
Commenting, Dr Lale Say of the WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research, said: "Considering the dramatic rise in preterm births over the past 20 years shown in countries with accurate data, preterm birth continues to represent a significant health problem.
"Improving access to effective care, in particular in developing countries, must remain a priority."
Meanwhile, the Manila Bulletin has reported that a new reproductive health clinic is set to be opened in Davao City in the Philippines after several years of heated debate.
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