This means that it is not just birth to birth interval, but the average total number of children or TFR also massively contributes to AKI and AKB
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The number of children that mothers gave birth to during their fertility period, or total fertility rate (TFR), affects the maternal mortality rate (AKI) and infant mortality rate (AKB), an official stated.

"We inform that the close link between TFR and AKI is no longer a secret," Head of the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) Hasto Wardoyo noted through a written statement on Friday.

"This means that it is not just birth to birth interval, but the average total number of children or TFR also massively contributes to AKI and AKB," he remarked.

The data result from the 2015 Census Between Population Survey (SUPAS) states that the maternal mortality rate in Indonesia had reached 305 deaths per 100 thousand births.

Meanwhile, the result from the 2021 Family Data Collection (PK21) reported that TFR declined to 2.24 after reaching 2.45 in 2019.

This high total fertility rate makes it difficult to achieve the maternal mortality rate target set by the government within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to 70 per 100 thousand births.

"In fact, in 2024, the government also aims to reach the target of 183 per 100 thousand births and so on. However, these became very challenging targets," Wardoyo noted.

In addition to TFR, age-specific fertility rate (ASFRs) also contributes to a decline of maternal and infant mortality rate.

The PK21 data at the end of 2021 shows that Indonesia's ASFR stood at 20.5 per one thousand.

This means that the number women, who were pregnant and gave birth in the age group of 15-19 years, also experienced a decline per one thousand.

This is despite the fact that if a nation manages to reduce its maternal and infant mortality rates, then the stunting prevalence rate will also quickly decline.

The agency has made several efforts in order to save mothers and infants from deaths, Wardoyo affirmed.

For instance, it expands the coverage of Family Planning Office partners in districts or cities and holds the One Million Acceptors Movement.

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Translator: Hreeloita D S, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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