[Mortality among children of less than one year of age in the Southwestern region of Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
A description of infant mortality in children of less than one year of age on the basis of official systems of information.


METHODS
The data were obtained from two official information systems of the Health Ministry: of mortality and live-births. Health service and home visits were carried out to complete the information on death certificates.


RESULTS
Infant mortality was 49.7. It was higher among boys, low birthweight children, twin births, among those born by cesarean section, resident in the outskirts, among children of mothers of little schooling, greater number of children on above 35 years of age. The data on death certificates were poorly reported. Data on birth certificates were complete.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggested that a health information system should be implemented, with a view to reducing infant mortality.
Bohland
A K
AK
Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Tiradentes, Aracaju, SE, Brasil.
Jorge
M H
MH
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003644:Death Certificates; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007256:Information Systems; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D010298:Parity