Trial of the Impact of Vitamin A on Maternal Mortality

Main objectives: To evaluate the impact of weekly vitamin A supplementation (VAS) to women of reproductive age (15-45 years) on maternal mortality in rural Ghana, and to compare this with the impact on overall mortality. Hypotheses: 1. Weekly supplementation with vitamin A (7000 µg retinol equivalent \[RE\]) to reproductive age women will reduce maternal deaths by 33%. 2. This impact will be achieved by reductions in both pregnancy-related and non-pregnancy-related deaths. 3. There will be a reduction in non-maternal deaths, similar in size to that in maternal non-pregnancy related deaths. Outcome measures: Maternal mortality rate, and overall mortality rate. Deaths will be identified through monthly demographic surveillance, and classified as maternal (pregnancy-related, non-pregnancy-related) or non-maternal using verbal autopsies.