Ethiopian Obstetric Surveillance System (EthOSS)
The Ethiopian Obstetric Surveillance System (EthOSS) operates as an Enhanced Obstetric Surveillance System (EOSS), involving 13 maternity units across 3 regions in eastern Ethiopia. Its primary objective is to collect and disseminate crucial data on maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity. The overarching aim of EthOSS is to ameliorate the standard of ante, intra and postnatal care throughout the country.
Mission statement
to provide estimates on maternal mortality, identify key factors contributing to maternal deaths and severe morbidity, and promote targeted public health interventions to improve the quality of care during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum and prevent avoidable adverse outcomes.
Aims
aligned with our mission, the objectives of EthOSS encompass the following:
- Monitoring severe maternal complications across 13 maternity units in Eastern Ethiopia, with the aim of scaling the initiative nationally
- Identifying the main causes of maternal mortality through incident reporting and Confidential Enquiries
- Undertaking implementation research and interventions targeting primary causes of maternal mortality and severe morbidity
- Collaborate regionally and internationally to improve maternal and child health care in Ethiopia and beyond
Previous studies
EthOSS has conducted prospective population-based research projects on the following conditions:
- Severe maternal morbidity due to obstetric haemorrhage, eclampsia, uterine rupture, sepsis, and severe anaemia)
- Confidential enquiry into maternal deaths.
Current studies
- Severe maternal morbidity due to peripartum hysterectomy (planned)
