Report Highlights Gaps in Addressing African Stillbirth Crisis

Nearly one million babies are stillborn in Africa annually, representing a significant public health challenge. These losses are often preventable, yet remain largely unrecorded and invisible, hindering efforts to improve maternal and newborn health.

A recent report, “Improving Stillbirth Data Recording, Collection and Reporting in Africa,” provides the first continent-wide assessment of how African countries track and utilize stillbirth data. The study highlights the urgent need for improved data systems to understand and address this crisis.

The Scale of the Problem

Africa accounts for half of all stillbirths globally, with rates nearly eight times higher than in Europe. Even when births occur in health facilities, they may not be documented in official statistics due to fragmented data systems. This data gap obscures the true burden of stillbirths and prevents effective interventions. Only a small number of African countries routinely report stillbirth data to the United Nations, relying instead on outdated or incomplete records.

Data Collection Challenges

Multiple data systems exist for capturing births and deaths, including stillbirths, but these systems often operate independently, both within and between countries. This lack of integration means countless losses go unrecorded. For example, a stillbirth occurring at home may only be known to the family and community, never entering national statistics. Even in health facilities, discrepancies can arise between facility registers and civil registration systems.

Report Findings and Readiness Levels

The report, based on a regional survey of ministries of health, document reviews, and expert consultations, reveals that 60% of African countries have national and subnational committees for stillbirth data collection and reporting. However, data utilization remains limited due to capacity gaps, fragmented systems, and insufficient funding. Countries were categorized into three readiness levels:

• Mature Systems: Requiring strengthening, such as Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, which have consistent data flows but need more analysis and use.
• Partial Systems: Requiring support, where reporting mechanisms exist but are not systematically implemented, like Ghana, Malawi, and Tanzania.
• Foundational Systems: Still being built, including fragile or conflict-affected countries like South Sudan and Somalia, where policies and structures for data collection and use are largely absent.

Two-thirds of African countries now include stillbirths in their national health strategies, and over half have set reduction targets. While nearly all countries routinely record stillbirths through health sectors, definitions and data sources vary widely.

The Importance of Accurate Data

Strengthening stillbirth data is crucial for visibility, accountability, and change. Accurate data can guide clinical care, direct resources, and enable leaders to identify causes, track progress, and make informed decisions. Stillbirths serve as a sensitive measure of health system performance, reflecting access to quality care during pregnancy and birth. Addressing stillbirths can also reduce maternal deaths, improve newborn survival, and lay the foundation for better health and development outcomes.