title: Patterns of infant mortality from 1993 to 2007 in Belgrade (Serbia).
abstract: The population of the Republic of Serbia has been exposed to radical changes in living standards and employment status and inequalities in utilization of health-care services. Given that infant mortality rates (IMR) reflect general community health, we evaluated the trends and mortality structure of Belgrade's infant population for a 15-year period (1993-2007). Data were collected from published and unpublished materials of the Municipal Institute of Statistics in Belgrade. Records were based on official notifications of live-born infants and death certificates. A linear regression equation was used to estimate mortality trends over time, while an F test was performed to assess the significance of the linear regression coefficient. The average IMR was 11.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 9.4, 13.2] per 1,000 live births for both sexes with a higher average rate observed for male infants. Throughout the whole period, a statistically significant declining trend (y = 17.072 - 0.721x, p = 0.001) was noted. The most common causes of death were conditions occurring during the perinatal period, with an average annual mortality rate of 7.7 [95% CI 6.4, 8.9] per 1,000, arising mainly from respiratory distress of the newborns. Regarding congenital anomalies, deformations of the heart and aortic and mitral valves were most frequently found. A statistically significant inverse correlation was observed between average net salary and IMR for each sex separately (for males r = -0.727, p = 0.002, for females r = -0.721, p = 0.002) and for both sexes jointly (r = -0.759, p = 0.001). A decline in infant mortality in Belgrade has been observed. However, further promotion of health-related activities, as well as continuous surveillance of IMR, is required.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Epidemiology, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26A, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gazibara
authors.forename: Darija
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kisic-Tepavcevic
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dotlic
authors.forename: Bojana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Matejic
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grgurevic
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pekmezovic
mesh_terms: D002423:Cause of Death / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D055771:Serbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors