[Trends in avoidable causes of infant mortality in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 1984 to 1998].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the infant mortality trend in a metropolitan area, from 1984 to 1998. The main focus was on avoidable causes of neonatal and post-neonatal mortality.


METHODS
Sources of data were the Sistema de Informacoes em Mortalidade do Ministerio da Saude (SIM-MS) [Mortality Information System of the Ministry of Health] and Fundacao Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) [Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics Foundation] (official live birth and death records) for the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, in the State of Minas Gerais. A simple linear regression model was used to evaluate time-trends of mortality rates. Statistical significance of the inclination of the regression curves was considered for the p<0.05 level.


RESULTS
During the 15 year period in question, the infant mortality rate declined from 48.5 to 22.1/1,000 live births. However, the most accentuated decrease was observed during the last four years of the study period. The post-neonatal group was greatly responsible for this decline both in the capital and in the other districts within the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte.


CONCLUSIONS
Although a significant decrease in the infant mortality rate has been observed, particularly in the post-neonatal mortality, it is still larger than the rates found in developed countries. Deaths due to perinatal morbidities as well as the group of causes represented by diarrhea-pneumonia-malnutrition still present an important potential for reduction. The authors discuss the role of the health services in improving the rates of these avoidable causes of infant mortality.
Caldeira
Antônio Prates
AP
Departamento de Saúde da Mulher e da Criança, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Rua Dr. Walter Ferreira Barreto, 225 B. Ibituruna, 39401-347 Montes Claros, MG, Brazil. apc@connect.com.br
França
Elisabeth
E
Perpétuo
Ignez Helena Oliva
IH
Goulart
Eugênio Marcos Andrade
EM
D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014505:Urban Population