Maternal Mortality in Brazil, 1990 to 2019: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

INTRODUCTION: Maternal death continues to be one of the most challenging public health problems that needs to be addressed in low and middle-income countries. The objective of this study was to describe the problem of maternal death in Brazil, using estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD). METHODS: This study used data from the GBD 2019 to show the numbers of deaths and the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) - number of deaths/100,000 live births - in Brazil and its 27 Federated Units (FU), for ages 10 to 54 years, from 1990 to 2019. The annual variation of the MMR was estimated in 1990, 2010, and 2019. The MMR were shown for specific causes as well as for five-year age groups. The estimates were presented with 95% uncertainty intervals (UI). RESULTS: The number of maternal deaths, as well as the MMR showed a 49% reduction from 1990 to 2019. This reduction occurred heterogeneously throughout the country, and the profile of the MMR for specific causes changed between 1990 and 2019: from hypertensive gestation diseases, to indirect maternal deaths, followed by hypertensive gestation diseases. In the extreme age groups, the MMR is higher, with mortality increasing exponentially in direct proportion with age. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal deaths in Brazil have decreased substantially since 1990; however, the numbers still fall short of what was established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Indirect causes are the greatest problem in more than 60% of the FU, especially for hypertensive pregnancy diseases.

Leading causes of child mortality in Brazil, in 1990 and 2015: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease study. / Principais causas da mortalidade na infância no Brasil, em 1990 e 2015: estimativas do estudo de Carga Global de Doença.

OBJECTIVE:: To analyze under-5 mortality rates and leading causes in Brazil and states in 1990 and 2015, using the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2015 estimates. METHODS:: The main sources of data for all-causes under-5 mortality and live births estimates were the mortality information system, surveys, and censuses. Proportions and rates per 1,000 live births (LB) were calculated for total deaths and leading causes. RESULTS:: Estimates of under-5 deaths in Brazil were 191,505 in 1990, and 51,226 in 2015, 90% of which were infant deaths. The rates per 1,000 LB showed a reduction of 67.6% from 1990 to 2015, achieving the proposed target established by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The reduction generally was more than 60% in states, with a faster reduction in the poorest Northeast region. The ratio of the highest and lowest rates in the states decreased from 4.9 in 1990 to 2.3 in 2015, indicating a reduction in socioeconomic regional disparities. Although prematurity showed a 72% reduction, it still remains as the leading cause of death (COD), followed by diarrheal diseases in 1990, and congenital anomalies, birth asphyxia and septicemia neonatal in 2015. CONCLUSION:: Under-5 mortality has decreased over the past 25 years, with reduction of regional disparities. However, pregnancy and childbirth-related causes remain as major causes of death, together with congenital anomalies. Intersectoral and specific public health policies must be continued to improve living conditions and health care in order to achieve further reduction of under-5 mortality rates in Brazil.

Principais causas da mortalidade na infância no Brasil, em 1990 e 2015: estimativas do estudo de Carga Global de Doença / Leading causes of child mortality in Brazil, in 1990 and 2015: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease study

RESUMO: Objetivo: Analisar as taxas de mortalidade e as principais causas de morte na infância no Brasil e estados, entre 1990 e 2015, utilizando estimativas do estudo Carga Global de Doença (Global Burden of Disease - GBD) 2015. Métodos: As fontes de dados foram óbitos e nascimentos estimados com base nos dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM), censos e pesquisas. Foram calculadas proporções e taxas por mil nascidos vivos (NV) para o total de óbitos e as principais causas de morte na infância. Resultados: O número estimado de óbitos para menores de 5 anos, no Brasil, foi de 191.505, em 1990, e 51.226, em 2015, sendo cerca de 90% mortes infantis. A taxa de mortalidade na infância no Brasil sofreu redução de 67,6%, entre 1990 e 2015, cumprindo a meta estabelecida nos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento do Milênio (ODM). A redução total das taxas foi, em geral, acima de 60% nos estados, sendo maior na região Nordeste. A disparidade entre as regiões foi reduzida, sendo que a razão entre o estado com a maior e a menor taxa diminuiu de 4,9, em 1990, para 2,3, em 2015. A prematuridade, apesar de queda de 72% nas taxas, figurou como a principal causa de óbito em ambos os anos, seguida da doença diarreica, em 1990, e das anomalias congênitas, da asfixia no parto e da sepse neonatal, em 2015. Conclusão: A queda nas taxas de mortalidade na infância representa um importante ganho no período, com redução de disparidades geográficas. As causas relacionadas ao cuidado em saúde na gestação, no parto e no nascimento figuram como as principais em 2015, em conjunto com as anomalias congênitas. Políticas públicas intersetoriais e de saúde específicas devem ser aprimoradas.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To analyze under-5 mortality rates and leading causes in Brazil and states in 1990 and 2015, using the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2015 estimates. Methods: The main sources of data for all-causes under-5 mortality and live births estimates were the mortality information system, surveys, and censuses. Proportions and rates per 1,000 live births (LB) were calculated for total deaths and leading causes. Results: Estimates of under-5 deaths in Brazil were 191,505 in 1990, and 51,226 in 2015, 90% of which were infant deaths. The rates per 1,000 LB showed a reduction of 67.6% from 1990 to 2015, achieving the proposed target established by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The reduction generally was more than 60% in states, with a faster reduction in the poorest Northeast region. The ratio of the highest and lowest rates in the states decreased from 4.9 in 1990 to 2.3 in 2015, indicating a reduction in socioeconomic regional disparities. Although prematurity showed a 72% reduction, it still remains as the leading cause of death (COD), followed by diarrheal diseases in 1990, and congenital anomalies, birth asphyxia and septicemia neonatal in 2015. Conclusion: Under-5 mortality has decreased over the past 25 years, with reduction of regional disparities. However, pregnancy and childbirth-related causes remain as major causes of death, together with congenital anomalies. Intersectoral and specific public health policies must be continued to improve living conditions and health care in order to achieve further reduction of under-5 mortality rates in Brazil.

Implementation of the presence of companions during hospital admission for childbirth: data from the Birth in Brazil national survey.

Robust evidence of the benefits of continuous support during childbirth led to the recommendation that it should be offered for all women. In Brazil, it has been guaranteed by law since 2005, but scarce data on implementation is available. We aimed to estimate the frequency and associated socio-demographic, obstetric and institutional predictors of women having companionship during childbirth in the Birth in Brazil survey. Descriptive statistical analysis was done for the characterization of companions (at different moments of hospital stay), maternal and institutional factors; associations were investigated in bivariate and multivariate models. We found that 24.5% of women had no companion at all, 18.8% had continuous companionship and 56.7% had partial companionship. Independent predictors of having no or partial companionship at birth were: lower income and education, brown color of skin, using the public sector, multiparity, and vaginal delivery. Implementation of companionship was associated with having an appropriate environment, and clear institution al rules about women's rights to companionship.

Práticas de atenção hospitalar ao recém-nascido saudável no Brasil / La práctica en el cuidado de los recién nacidos sanos en Brasil / Clinical practices in the hospital care of healthy newborn infant in Brazil

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o cuidado ao recém-nascido saudável a termo e identificar variações nesse cuidado no atendimento ao parto e na primeira hora de vida. Utilizou-se a base de dados da pesquisa Nascer no Brasil. Foram estimadas as razões de produtos cruzados OR brutas e ajustadas entre as características do hospital, maternas e de assistência ao parto com os desfechos: aspiração de vias aéreas e gástrica, uso do oxigênio inalatório, uso de incubadora, contato pele a pele, alojamento conjunto e oferta do seio materno na sala de parto e na primeira hora de vida. Foi observada grande variação das práticas usadas na assistência ao recém-nascido a termo na sala de parto. Práticas consideradas inadequadas como uso de oxigênio inalatório (9,5%), aspiração de vias aéreas (71,1%) e gástrica (39,7%) e uso de incubadora (8,8%) foram excessivamente usadas. A ida ao seio na sala de parto foi considerada baixa (16,1%), mesmo nos hospitais com título de Hospital Amigo da Criança (24%). Esses resultados sugerem baixos níveis de conhecimento e aderência às boas práticas clínicas.

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el cuidado de los recién nacidos sanos y determinar si existen desigualdades en la prestación de servicios y durante la primera hora de vida. Se utilizó la base de datos de la encuesta Nacer en Brasil. Las ratios se estimaron a través del producto odds ratio (OR) y se realizó un ajuste bruto entre las características del hospital, la madre y la atención del nacimiento con los siguientes resultados: aspiración gástrica y de las vías respiratorias, uso de oxígeno inhalado, incubadora, contacto piel con piel, alojamiento conjunto y ofrecer lactancia materna en la sala de partos y en la primera hora de vida. Existe una alta variación de las prácticas utilizadas en el cuidado del recién nacido. Prácticas consideradas inapropiadas, como el uso de oxígeno inhalado (9,5%), aspiración vías respiratorias (71,1%) y gástrica (39,7%) y el uso de incubadora (8,8%) fueron altos. La lactancia materna en la sala de partos fue baja (16,1%), hasta en los hospitales especializados en la atención a niños (24%). Los resultados sugieren bajos niveles de la adhesión a las buenas prácticas.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the care of healthy full-term newborns and to identify variations in childbirth care and practices in the first hour of life. We used data from the Birth in Brazil survey. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratio (OR) of hospital-delivered care for the mother and during childbirth were estimated for the following outcomes: upper airways and gastric aspiration, use of inhaled oxygen, use of incubator, skin-to-skin contact after birth, rooming-in and breastfeeding in the delivery room and within the first hour of life. We observed wide variations in the care of healthy full-term newborn in the delivery room. Practices considered inadequate, such as use of inhaled oxygen, (9.5%) aspiration of airways (71.1%) and gastric suctioning (39.7%), and the use of incubator (8.8%) were excessively used. Breastfeeding in the delivery room was low (16%), even when the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative had been implemented (24%). The results suggest poor knowledge and compliance by health practitioners to good clinical practice. Such noncompliance was probably not due to the differences in resources, since most births take place in hospitals where the necessary resources are available.

Implementação da presença de acompanhantes durante a internação para o parto: dados da pesquisa nacional Nascer no Brasil / Implementación de la presencia de acompañantes durante el internamiento para el parto: datos de la encuesta nacional Nacer en Brasil / Implementation of the presence of companions during hospital admission for childbirth: data from the Birth in Brazil national survey

As evidências sobre os benefícios do apoio contínuo durante o parto levou à recomendação de que este apoio deve ser oferecido a todas as mulheres. No Brasil, ele é garantido por lei desde 2005, mas os dados sobre a sua implementação são escassos. Nosso objetivo foi estimar a frequência e fatores sociodemográficos, obstétricos e institucionais associados à presença de acompanhantes durante o parto na pesquisa Nascer no Brasil. Foi feita análise estatística descritiva para a caracterização dos acompanhantes (em diferentes momentos do tempo da internação), fatores maternos e institucionais; as associações foram investigadas em modelos bi e multivariada. Vimos que 24,5% das mulheres não tiveram acompanhante algum, 18,8% tinham companhia contínua, 56,7% tiveram acompanhamento parcial. Preditores independentes de não ter algum, ou parcial, foram: menor renda e escolaridade, cor parda da pele, usar o setor público, multiparidade e parto vaginal. A implementação do acompanhante foi associada com ambiência adequada e regras institucionais claras sobre os direitos das mulheres ao acompanhante.

La evidencia de los beneficios del apoyo continuo durante el parto llevó a la recomendación de que fuera ofrecido a todas las mujeres. En Brasil, se les garantiza a las mujeres por ley desde 2005, pero hay escasos datos sobre su aplicación. El objetivo fue estimar la frecuencia y factores asociados (socio-demográficas, obstétricos e institucionales) de las mujeres que tienen acompañantes durante el parto en la encuesta Nacer en Brasil. Una vez realizado el análisis estadístico descriptivo para la caracterización de los acompañantes (en diferentes momentos del parto), factores maternos e institucionales; las asociaciones investigaron los modelos bivariados y multivariados. El 24,5% de las mujeres no tenía ningún acompañante, el 18,7% tenían acompañantes continuos y el 56,7% los tenía parcialmente. Predictores independientes de no tener acompañantes o tenerlos parcialmente fueron: bajos ingresos y educación, color moreno de piel, usar el sector público de sanidad, la multiparidad y el parto vaginal. La implementación de acompañantes se asoció con un ambiente adecuado, y normas institucionales claras sobre los derechos de las mujeres al acompañante.

Robust evidence of the benefits of continuous support during childbirth led to the recommendation that it should be offered for all women. In Brazil, it has been guaranteed by law since 2005, but scarce data on implementation is available. We aimed to estimate the frequency and associated socio-demographic, obstetric and institutional predictors of women having companionship during childbirth in the Birth in Brazil survey. Descriptive statistical analysis was done for the characterization of companions (at different moments of hospital stay), maternal and institutional factors; associations were investigated in bivariate and multivariate models. We found that 24.5% of women had no companion at all, 18.8% had continuous companionship and 56.7% had partial companionship. Independent predictors of having no or partial companionship at birth were: lower income and education, brown color of skin, using the public sector, multiparity, and vaginal delivery. Implementation of companionship was associated with having an appropriate environment, and clear institution al rules about women’s rights to companionship.

Equity and women's health services for contraception, abortion and childbirth in Brazil.

This paper addresses equity in health and health care in Brazil, examining unjust disparities between women and men, and between women from different social strata, with a focus on services for contraception, abortion and pregnancy. In 2010 women's life expectancy was 77.6 years, men's was 69.7 years. Women are two-thirds of public hospital services users and assess their health status less positively than men. The total fertility rate was 1.8 in 2011, and contraceptive prevalence has been high among women at all income levels. The proportion of sterilizations has decreased; lower-income women are more frequently sterilized. Abortions are mostly illegal; women with more money have better access to safe abortions in private clinics. Poorer women generally self-induce abortion with misoprostol, seeking treatment of complications from public clinics. Institutional violence on the part of health professionals is reported by half of women receiving abortion care and a quarter of women during childbirth. Maternity care is virtually universal. The public sector has fewer caesarean sections, fewer low birthweight babies, and more rooming-in, but excessive episiotomies and inductions. Privacy, continuity of care and companionship during birth are more common in the private sector. To achieve equity, the health system must go beyond universal, unregulated access to technology, and move towards safe, effective and transparent care.

Social inequalities in perinatal mortality in Belo Horizonte, Brazil: the role of hospital care.

OBJECTIVES: We examined the contribution of hospital type and quality of care to perinatal mortality rates in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHODS: We used a cohort study of all births (40953) and perinatal deaths (826) in Belo Horizonte in1999. After adjusting for maternal education and birthweight, we compared mortality rates according to hospital category--defined by a hospital's relation to the national Universal Public Health System (SUS)--and quality of care. We used the Wigglesworth Classification to examine perinatal deaths. RESULTS: After we controlled for birthweight and maternal education, the highest perinatal death rates were observed in private and philanthropic SUS-contracted hospitals (relative to private, non-SUS-contracted hospitals). Hospital quality was also directly associated with perinatal death rates. Mortality rates were especially high for normal-birthweight babies born in private SUS-contracted hospitals. Intrapartum asphyxia was the leading cause of preventable death. CONCLUSIONS: In a class-segregated health care system, such as Brazil's, disparities in quality of care between SUS-contracted and non-SUS-contracted hospitals contribute to the unacceptably high rates of perinatal mortality.

Monitoramento do óbito infantil e fetal em Belo Horizonte experiência da parceria entre a UFMG e a Secretaria Municipal de Saúde / Fetal and infant death monitoring in Belo Horizonte, Brazil: experience of the partnership between UFMG and the Municipal Office of Health

A mortalidade infantil em Belo Horizonte ainda constitui um desafio para os profissionais e os serviços de saúde. Com o objetivo de atingir índices cada vez menores, foi criado em 2002, pela Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, o Comitê de Prevenção do Óbito Infantil e Fetal. Visando apoiar o Comitê em suas ações de prevenção, estabeleceu-se, em 2003, uma parceria entre a Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais e a referida Secretaria, efetivada por um Projeto de Extensão, coordenado pela Escola de Enfermagem e pela Faculdade de Medicina. Propõe-se relatar a experiência desse projeto. Atuam nessa proposta docentes e alunos dos cursos de graduação em enfermagem e medicina, além de técnicos da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde (SMSA). Os alunos bolsistas e voluntários são inseridos em todas as atividades dos Comitês Central e Distrital, participam de ações interdisciplinares e multiprofissionais, articulando às atividades de extensão o ensino e a pes- quisa. Cerca de 80% dos óbitos com critério para investigação tem sido investigados e praticamente todos eles poderiam ser evitados. O fechamento e a conclusão dos casos quanto à evitabilidade têm proporcionado aos técnicos da SMSA uma pro- funda reflexão da prática, bem como identificação das falhas que necessitam de intervenções. A parceria tem concretizado a integração ensino-serviço-comunidade, contribuindo para as ações de redução da mortalidade infantil e fetal em Belo Horizonte. Aos alunos tem possibilitado uma visão crítica das políticas públicas sanitárias e aos docentes a oportunidade do ensino em serviço.

Infant mortality in Belo Horizonte is still a chalienge for health professionals and services. With the aim of reaching increasingly lower rates, the Municipal Office of Health created, in 2002, the Committee for the Prevention of Fetal and Infant Oeath. In order to suppOrt the Committee in its preventing actions, a partnership was established in 2003 berween the Office and the Federal Universiry of Minas Gerais, and put into practice by means of a Communiry Relations Project, coordinated by both Medical and Nursing Schools. Here, we propose to report the experien- ce of this project. Faculry members and students fram both the aforementioned Schools take part in this initiative, as well as technicians frorn the Municipal Office of Heath (MOH). Volunteer and scholarship-receiving students are inserted in ali the activities of the Central and Regional Committees, take part in interdisciplinary and multi-pro- fessional actions, combining community relations activities with research and education. Roughly 80% of deaths thar meet this investigation's criteria have been investigated and almost ali of thern could have been avoided. This outcome and the conclusion regarding its avoidability has prompted the technicians to conduct an in-depth reflection on their practice, as well as to identify the flaws that demand inter- vention. The partnership has made the teaching-service- community integration concrete, thus contributing for actions towards the reduction of fetal and infant death in Belo Horizonte. Moreover, it has provided the students with a critical view on public sanitary policies, and faculty with an opportunity to teach while serving the community.

A gestão da qualidade e da integralidade do cuidado em saúde da mulher e da criança no SUS de Belo Horizonte: a experiência da Comissão Perinatal / Quality management and integrity in the care of woman and child´s health in Belo Horizonte´s SUS (Unified Health System): the experience of the Perinatal Committe

A gestão da linha de cuidado integral de gestantes e recém-nascidos é iniciativa inovadora da Comissão Perinatal de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, fórum interinstitucional com participação do movimento social. A avaliação sistemática dos hospitais, fechamento das maternidades de baixa qualidade, investigação dos óbitos maternos, infantis e fetais (experiência pioneira e referência nacional), a gestão do cuidado integral, incluindo regulação da assistência hospitalar, ação ainda incipiente no país, são algumas iniciativas destacadas por promoverem a construção de acordo ético no município, com responsabilização do gestor e dos diretores dos serviços quanto a uma assistência humanizada e de qualidade e ao impacto impacto significativo sobre a mortalidade materna infantil. Esta experiência pode ser expandida e contribuir para a redução da mortalidade materna, infantil e perinatal no Brasil.

[Perinatal deaths and childbirth healthcare evaluation in maternity hospitals of the Brazilian Unified Health System in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 1999]. / Mortes perinatais e avaliação da assistência ao parto em maternidades do Sistema Unico de Saúde em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, 1999.

This paper analyzes the association between perinatal mortality and factors related to hospital care during labor, considering that healthcare assessment is needed in order to reduce perinatal mortality. A population-based case-control study was conducted with 118 perinatal deaths (cases) and 492 births (controls) that took place in maternity hospitals of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Male sex, prematurity, diseases during pregnancy, low birth weight, newborn diseases, lack of prenatal care, lack of partograph use during labor, and less than one fetus assessment per hour during labor were significantly associated with perinatal deaths. In the multiple regression analysis, lack of partograph use during labor and type of hospital were associated with perinatal deaths. These results indicate inadequate quality of care in maternity hospitals and show that health services structure and health care process are related to perinatal mortality due to preventable causes.

Vigilância de óbitos infantis evitáveis: a experiência de um centro de saúde de Belo Horizonte / Preventable infant death surveillance: a health service experience in Belo Horizonte

Os óbitos infantis pós-neonatais devidos à diarréia, pneumonia e desnutrição, ocorridos na área de abrangência do Posto de Assistência Médica Saudade (PAM Saudade) de Belo Horizonte, foram monitorados no ano de 1995, por meio da investigação epidemiológica hospitalar, ambulatorial e domiciliar. Esta investigação possibilitou a reconstrução da história de vida e de morte das crianças, com ênfase na evitabilidade de cada óbito. Observou-se situações de precárias condições de vida das famílias e despreparo para os cuidados com as crianças, existindo dificuldade de reconhecimento da necessidade de cuidados em saúde, desde o acompanhamento pré-natal e no primeiro ano de vida, ate a identificação dos sinais de gravidade da doença que levou ao óbito. Detectou-se frágil vínculo entre a população e os serviços de saúde, interferindo na acessibilidade e resolutividade destes serviços. Reconhecendo-se a estreita relação existente entre estas mortes e a organização do modelo de assistência de saúde, propõe-se a continuidade da vigilância de óbitos infantis evitáveis enquanto evento sentinela, com o intuito de intervir nesta realidade de mortes infantis prematuras e desnecessárias.

Postneonatal infant deaths due to diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition taken place in the comprehensive area of a child reference health service in Belo Horizonte (PAM Saudade), were monitored by a hospital, home and utilization of health services investigation. This investigation made possible the reconstruction of life and death history of the children, with emphasis on the preventability of each case. It was observed situations of poverty conditions of family lives and inadequacy for child care. Morever the investigation disclosed an inability to recognize health care needs, ranging from pre-natal follow-up to the identification of symptoms that finally lead to infant death. It was detected a fragile reference link between health service and the population, making the acess and resolubility of these services difficult. As it is shown that there is a narrow relationship between these deaths and the organization of health care services, it is proposed the continuity of the preventable death surveillance as health sentinel event, in order to intervene in this situation of unnecessary and premature infant deaths.