The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) compiled maternal mortality rate (MMR) data from all provinces in Indonesia using the 2020-2022 Population Census long form.
The results show that Papua had the highest MMR, at 565 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Papua Barat followed in second place, also in the eastern region, with 343 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Third was East Nusa Tenggara with an MMR of 316 deaths per 100,000 live births.
West Sulawesi and Gorontalo were fourth and fifth, respectively, with MMRs of 274 and 266 deaths per 100,000 live births.
The Indonesian average was 189 deaths per 100,000 live births.
BPS states that MMR is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related complications or their management during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period (42 days after childbirth), without considering the length of pregnancy, per 100,000 live births. This calculation does not include accidents, suicides, or incidental cases.
This indicator, BPS continues, is directly used to monitor deaths related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
"MMR is influenced by several factors, including general health status, education, economic, socio-cultural factors, and healthcare services during pregnancy and childbirth," BPS wrote on its official website.
The MMR was calculated using the 2020 Population Census, a census conducted in two phases.
The first phase involved population data collection using a simple questionnaire or short form in 2020. This was followed by data collection using a more detailed questionnaire or long form in sample households in 2022.