Infant mortality in Brazil during recent periods of economic crisis

Authors

  • Maria da Conceição Nascimento Costa Universidade Federal da Bahia; Instituto de Saúde Coletiva
  • Eduardo Luiz Andrade Mota Universidade Federal da Bahia; Instituto de Saúde Coletiva
  • Jairnilson Silva Paim Universidade Federal da Bahia; Instituto de Saúde Coletiva
  • Lígia Maria Vieira da Silva Universidade Federal da Bahia; Instituto de Saúde Coletiva
  • Maria da Glória Teixeira Universidade Federal da Bahia; Instituto de Saúde Coletiva
  • Carlos Maurício Cardeal Mendes Universidade Federal da Bahia; Instituto de Saúde Coletiva

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102003000600003

Keywords:

Infant mortality, Mortality rate, Pregnancy rate, Birth rate, Information systems, Socioeconomic factors, Time series

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyze time trends in infant mortality in Brazil during a recent period of economic crisis (1980-1998). METHODS: Time-series study based on the Ministry of Health's Mortality Information System, IBGE Foundation and Fundação Nacional de Saúde (National Health Institute database. Serial parameters were described using autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models, and the association between infant mortality rates and a number of determinants was evaluated using Spearman correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Infant mortality showed a declining trend (-59.3%) and a strong correlation with most of the indicators analyzed. However, only correlations between infant mortality rate and total pregnancy and birth rates presented a significant difference between the two decades. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in pregnancy rate were the main cause for the persistent decline in infant mortality in the 1980's. In the subsequent period, causes related to living conditions, especially healthcare, may have been more important.

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Published

2003-12-01

Issue

Vol. 37 No. 6 (2003)

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Costa, M. da C. N., Mota, E. L. A., Paim, J. S., Silva, L. M. V. da, Teixeira, M. da G., & Mendes, C. M. C. (2003). Infant mortality in Brazil during recent periods of economic crisis . Revista De Saúde Pública, 37(6), 699-706. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102003000600003