Maternal hypertensive disorders among Individuals of reproductive age (15-49 Years) in South Asia: A global Burden of Disease study (1990-2021) with future Projections.

BACKGROUND

Maternal hypertensive disorders (HDP) remain a major contributor to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in South Asia, where healthcare disparities persist.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to analyze trends in maternal hypertensive disorders across South Asia from 1990 to 2021, leveraging data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study to evaluate the effectiveness of healthcare interventions and provide actionable recommendations.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis using GBD 2021 data for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Health trends such as prevalence, incidence, and maternal mortality ratios (MMR) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Join point regression. This approach allowed us to identify significant changes and trends over the studied period.

RESULTS

The study revealed significant declines in the prevalence and MMR associated with maternal hypertensive disorders across the region. Notable reductions were observed in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal, while Pakistan showed minimal improvement, indicating ongoing healthcare challenges. The analysis underscores substantial regional disparities, particularly in Pakistan, which reported higher prevalence rates and MMR across all age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that targeted healthcare interventions can effectively reduce the burden of maternal hypertensive disorders in South Asia. However, persistent disparities in Pakistan highlight the need for region-specific strategies to address gaps in healthcare access and quality. Strengthening healthcare policies and improving intervention coverage could further mitigate the burden of HDP in South Asia.