Maternal mortality in Northeast Brazil 2009-2019: spatial distribution, trend and associated factors

Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2023 Oct 30;32(3):e2022973. doi: 10.1590/S2237-96222023000300009.EN. eCollection 2023.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the spatio-temporal pattern of maternal mortality and associated factors in Northeast Brazil, from 2009 to 2019.

Methods: This was an ecological study using the joinpoint method for temporal analysis and spatial autocorrelation and scan tests to identify clusters; regression models using the ordinary least squares and geographically weighted regression methods were used to identify factors associated with mortality, considering p-value < 0.05.

Results: Maternal mortality decreased by 1.5% (95%CI; -2.5;-0.5) per year (p-value = 0.009); clusters, of deaths were found, mainly in Piauí and Maranhão, the variables associated with the maternal mortality ratio were Gini Index (β = 105.72; p-value < 0.001), municipal human development index (β = 190.91; p-value = 0.001), per capita income (β = -0.08; p-value = 0.001), Firjan Municipal Development Index-Health (β = -51.28; p-value < 0.001), life expectancy at birth (β = -3.50; p-value < 0.001).

Conclusion: There was a reduction in mortality in the period studied, with a concentration of deaths, primarily in Piauí and Maranhão; socioeconomic indicators were associated with higher mortality in the region.

Main results: There was a decrease in maternal mortality in Northeast Brazil, from 2009 to 2019. Deaths were mainly concentrated in the states of Piauí and Maranhão. Five socioeconomic indicators were associated with higher mortality in the region.

Implications for services: In order to maintain the trend of falling maternal mortality in Northeast Brazil, the need exists to reduce social inequalities and expand access to health services, especially within the scope of Primary Care.

Perspectives: Public policies are needed to expand health services in general as well as comprehensive women's health care in the Brazilian National Health System, especially for women living in contexts of greater social vulnerability.

Objetivo:: Analizar el patrón espacio-temporal y los factores asociados a la mortalidad materna en el Nordeste de Brasil, 2009-2019.

Métodos:: Estudio ecológico por el método joinpoint para análisis temporal y pruebas de autocorrelación espacial y escaneo scan para la identificación de conglomerados; se utilizaron modelos de regresión por mínimos cuadrados ordinarios y métodos geográficamente ponderados para identificar los factores asociados a la mortalidad, considerando p-valor < 0,05.

Resultados:: La mortalidad materna disminuyó 1,5% por año (IC95% -2,5;-0,5; p-valor = 0,009), se observaron conglomerados de muertes en Piauí y Maranhão, variables asociadas a la tasa de mortalidad materna, Índice de Gini (β = 105,72; p-valor < 0,001), índice de desarrollo humano municipal (β = 190,91; p-valor = 0,001), renta per cápita (β=-0,08; p-valor = 0,001), Índice de Desarrollo Municipal-Salud de Firjan (β = -51,28; p-valor < 0,001), esperanza de vida al nacer (β = -3,50; p-valor < 0,001).

Conclusión:: Hubo una reducción de la mortalidad, las muertes se distribuyeron, principalmente, en Piauí y Maranhão; el aumento o la disminución de los indicadores socioeconómicos se asociaron a una mayor mortalidad en la región.

Objetivo:: Analisar o padrão espaço-temporal e fatores associados à mortalidade materna, no Nordeste brasileiro, de 2009 a 2019.

Métodos:: Estudo ecológico, com método joinpoint, para análise temporal, testes de autocorrelação espacial e varredura scan para identificar aglomerados, utilizando-se modelos de regressão pelos métodos de mínimos quadrados ordinários e de regressão espacial geograficamente ponderado, para identificar fatores associados (p-valor < 0,05).

Resultados:: A mortalidade materna diminuiu 1,5% ao ano (IC95% -2,5;-0,5; p-valor = 0,009), observaram-se aglomerados de óbitos, principalmente nos estados do Piauí e Maranhão, variáveis associadas à razão de mortalidade materna foram índice de Gini (β = 105,72; p-valor < 0,001), índice de desenvolvimento humano municipal (β = 190,91; p-valor = 0,001), renda per capita (β = -0,08; p-valor = 0,001), Índice Firjan de Desenvolvimento Municipal-Saúde (β = -51,28; p-valor < 0,001) e esperança de vida ao nascer (β = -3,50; p-valor < 0,001).

Conclusão:: E mortalidade materna reduziu-se no período, com concentração de óbitos no Piauí e Maranhão; os indicadores socioeconômicos associaram-se a maior mortalidade na região.

MeSH terms

  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Income*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Maternal Mortality*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Spatial Analysis