PREDICTION OF ANNUAL MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE FOR THE GAMBIA USING THE DOUBLE EXPONENTIAL SMOOTHING MODEL

Authors

  • Smartson. P. NYONI Independent Researcher & Medical Doctor, Harare, Zimbabwe Author
  • Thabani NYONI Independent Researcher & Health Economist, Harare, Zimbabwe Author

Keywords:

Exponential smoothing, Forecasting, Maternal Mortality Ratio.

Abstract

This study uses annual time series data on MMR for the Gambia from 1985 to 2023 to predict future trends of MMR over the period 2024 to 2035. The study utilizes Holt’s double exponential smoothing model. The optimal values of smoothing constants α and β are 0.9 and 0.1 respectively based on minimum MSE. The results of the study indicate that MMR will continue to fall but still remain high throughout the out of sample period. Therefore, we encourage authorities to adopt the suggested 5-fold policy prescription.

References

1.Abdoulie Sonko et al (2024). Evaluation of the Maternal Mortality Surveillance System, The Gambia, 2022. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. J Interval Epidemiol Public Health. 7(2): 5 DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.37432/jieph.2024.7.2.11 2

2.CIA World Factbook (2019). Maternal mortality rate-country comparison. Available at: https://www.indexmundi.com/g/r.aspx?c=ga&v=22 23.

3.Gambia Government (2017). The Gambia national development plan (2018–2021). Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Banjul, The Gambia, pp. 90–95.

4.Joy Michael., Abiodun Olaiya Paul and Armanda Nangmo (2025). Decade of Progress: Trends in Key Maternal Health Performance Indicators in The Gambia, Journal: Texila International Journal of Public Health Publisher: Texila International Journal ISSN: 2520-3134 Volume 13 Issue 4, 2025, DOI: 10.21522/TIJPH.2013.13.04. Art030

5.World Bank (2022). The World Bank in The Gambia [Internet]. Washington (DC): World Bank; 2022

6.World Health Organization (2019), Trends in maternal mortality 2000 to 2017: Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/327596.

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Published

2026-09-21

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Section

Articles

How to Cite

PREDICTION OF ANNUAL MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE FOR THE GAMBIA USING THE DOUBLE EXPONENTIAL SMOOTHING MODEL. (2026). Modern American Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 2(9), 17-26. https://usajournals.org/index.php/1/article/view/2763

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