Differentials in vital information in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, 2006-2008.
OBJECTIVE
To assess differentials in official birth and death data for estimating infant mortality.


METHODS
An ecological study was conducted based on data obtained from birth and death information systems in the state of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil, between 2006 and 2008. The following indicators were used: age-standardized mortality rate, relative mean deviation of mortality rate, ratio of reported to estimated live births, relative mean deviation of birth rate and proportion of deaths of unknown cause. These indicators were grouped into three dimensions: mortality, fertility and ill-defined causes. Based on predetermined criteria, municipalities were classified as follows: consolidated vital data; vital data in the consolidation phase; and non-consolidated data. The data were analyzed using EpiInfo and Terraview for map preparation.


RESULTS
Of the 185 municipalities in the state of Pernambuco, 141 (76.2%) were classified as having consolidated vital data, accounting for about 85% of the state population, and 17 (9.2%) were classified as having non-consolidated data, accounting for only 4.9% of the population. Larger municipalities (50,000 inhabitants or more) showed better data quality.


CONCLUSIONS
The approach studied proved itself valuable to assess the quality of vital information and identify inequalities in Pernambuco. Reduction of inequalities is a challenge in this state in the sense of enabling vital information to be analyzed directly from data systems at the local level. It will also allow assessing the effectiveness of initiatives to reduce infant mortality in Pernambuco.
Secretaria de Saúde do Estado de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil. mirellarod@hotmail.com
Mirella
M
Rodrigues
Cristine
C
Bonfim
Paulo Germano
PG
de Frias
Cynthia
C
Braga
Idê Gomes Dantas
IG
Gurgel
Zulma
Z
Medeiros
D001723:Birth Rate / Q000639:trends*; D001938:Brazil; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007256:Information Systems / Q000592:standards*; D014798:Vital Statistics