Spatial analysis of inequalities in fetal and infant mortality due to avoidable causes
Cristine Vieira do Bonfim, Amanda Priscila de Santana Cabral Silva, Conceição Maria de Oliveira, Mirella Bezerra Rodrigues Vilela, Neison Cabral Ferreira Freire
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: to analyze social inequalities in spatial distribution of fetal and infant mortality by avoidable causes and identify the areas of greater risk of occurrence. METHODS: avoidable deaths of fetal and infant residents of Recife/Brazil were studied. The rates of avoidable fetal and infant mortality were calculated for two five-year periods, 2006-2010 and 2011-2015. The scan statistics was used for spatial analysis and related to the social deprivation index. RESULTS: out of the total 2,210 fetal deaths, 80% were preventable. Avoidable fetal mortality rates increased by 8.1% in the five-year periods. Of the 2,846 infant deaths, 74% were avoidable, and the infant mortality rate reduced by 0.13%. CONCLUSIONS: in the spatial analysis, were identified clusters with higher risk for deaths. The social deprivation index showed sensibility with areas of worse living conditions.