Marta C Jaramillo-Mejía1, Dov Chernichovsky2, José J Jiménez-Moleón3. 1. MJ: MD. Ph. D. Medicina Clínica y Salud Pública. M. Sc. Investigación y Avances en Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública. Especialista en Gerencia Hospitalaria y en Gerencia de la Salud Pública. Departamento de Gestión Organizacional, Universidad Icesi. Colombia. mcjara@icesi.edu.co. 2. DCh: Ph. D. Economía. Ben Gurion University of the negev Beer Sheva. Israel. dov@som.bgu.ac.il. 3. JJ: MD. Ph. D. Medicina. Esp. Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública. Universidad de Granada; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada ibs. Granada. Universidad de Granada/Hospitales Universitarios de Granada. Servicio Andaluz de Salud. España. jjmoleon@ugr.es.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To disentangle the singular effects of biological, environmental, socioeconomic, and medical factors on the probability for infants to die. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Apply a Path Analysis to Colombia's complete records of infant births and deaths, and the availability of maternal and child health services, during 2003-2009. RESULTS: From a biological perspective, a high birth weight resulting from a normal gestational age is the most important variable to ensure the infant's survival. Prenatal care is key to reduce infant mortality. From a socioeconomic perspective, high levels of education and relative access to high quality care in the contributory social health insurance regime for maternal residence, contribute to higher chances of infant survival. CONCLUSIONS: Related findings suggest that augmenting access to maternal, child and intensive care beds supported by the subsidized regime can reduce infant mortality.
OBJECTIVE: To disentangle the singular effects of biological, environmental, socioeconomic, and medical factors on the probability for infants to die. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Apply a Path Analysis to Colombia's complete records of infant births and deaths, and the availability of maternal and child health services, during 2003-2009. RESULTS: From a biological perspective, a high birth weight resulting from a normal gestational age is the most important variable to ensure the infant's survival. Prenatal care is key to reduce infant mortality. From a socioeconomic perspective, high levels of education and relative access to high quality care in the contributory social health insurance regime for maternal residence, contribute to higher chances of infant survival. CONCLUSIONS: Related findings suggest that augmenting access to maternal, child and intensive care beds supported by the subsidized regime can reduce infant mortality.