Patrícia P Simões1, Renan M V R Almeida. 1. Programa de Engenharia Biomédica-COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess maternal mortality and its association with accessibility to obstetric care in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: Maternal mortality was assessed from 2 national databases, one administrative and the other designed for epidemiologic purposes. Distances traveled from residence to hospital via the transit network were calculated using a specialized information system. Deaths were grouped by area of residence, and maternal mortality ratios (number of deaths per 100,000 live births) as well as death incidence ratios (deaths/live births in 2 regions or hospital types) were calculated for these areas. RESULTS: We identified 236 deaths and estimated under-reporting at 30%. The most common causes of death were hypertension-related disorders, "other obstetric conditions," and complications from abortion; the longest traveled distance was 66.43 km (mean, 13.65 km); and maternal mortality ratios varied between 25.54% and 56.45%, the highest values being for areas with the lowest municipal human development index. The highest death incidence ratios were found at general hospitals without specialized obstetric care. CONCLUSION: Maternal mortality is still a serious problem in the studied region. The wide variations among areas of different socioeconomic conditions suggest the need for a better allocation of health care resources.
OBJECTIVE: To assess maternal mortality and its association with accessibility to obstetric care in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: Maternal mortality was assessed from 2 national databases, one administrative and the other designed for epidemiologic purposes. Distances traveled from residence to hospital via the transit network were calculated using a specialized information system. Deaths were grouped by area of residence, and maternal mortality ratios (number of deaths per 100,000 live births) as well as death incidence ratios (deaths/live births in 2 regions or hospital types) were calculated for these areas. RESULTS: We identified 236 deaths and estimated under-reporting at 30%. The most common causes of death were hypertension-related disorders, "other obstetric conditions," and complications from abortion; the longest traveled distance was 66.43 km (mean, 13.65 km); and maternal mortality ratios varied between 25.54% and 56.45%, the highest values being for areas with the lowest municipal human development index. The highest death incidence ratios were found at general hospitals without specialized obstetric care. CONCLUSION: Maternal mortality is still a serious problem in the studied region. The wide variations among areas of different socioeconomic conditions suggest the need for a better allocation of health care resources.
Authors: Steeve Ebener; Maria Guerra-Arias; James Campbell; Andrew J Tatem; Allisyn C Moran; Fiifi Amoako Johnson; Helga Fogstad; Karin Stenberg; Sarah Neal; Patricia Bailey; Reid Porter; Zoe Matthews Journal: Int J Health Geogr Date: 2015-05-27 Impact factor: 3.918
Authors: Ellen M H Mitchell; Silke Heumann; Ana Araujo; Leila Adesse; Carolyn Tucker Halpern Journal: BMC Womens Health Date: 2014-02-13 Impact factor: 2.809