Maternal mortality and social vulnerability in a Northeast State in Brazil: a spatial-temporal approach

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: to analyze the epidemiological profile and the spatial-temporal dynamics on maternal mortality in Alagoas and its relationship with social vulnerability and income inequality. Methods: a mixed ecological study involving maternal deaths who resided in Alagoas from 1996 to 2016. Sociodemographic variables (age, race/color, education, marital status), clinical (type of obstetric cause, death by category and ICD group) were analyzed, besides the indicators (Maternal Mortality Ratio-MMR, Social Vulnerability Index and Gini Index). For the temporal analysis, we used the inflection point regression model and for the spatial analysis, the local empirical Bayesian model, Moran Global and Local statistics, and the bivariate local spatial autocorrelation analysis. Results: a total of 586 deaths (47.63/100 thousand live births) were registered, with a trend of MMR growth (APC 2.8%), with a heterogeneous distribution between health regions and cities. The profile was characterized by the predominance of young, black / mixed skin color women with low schooling. Eight cities were considered priority. There was spatial correlation with the Social Vulnerability Index and income inequality. Conclusions: identifying priority areas may contribute to planning and targeting interventions.

Keywords

• Maternal mortality
• Epidemiology
• Social vulnerability