Impact of the implementation of the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist on essential birth practices and adverse events in two Brazilian hospitals: a before and after study.

OBJECTIVE: The WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) is a promising initiative for safety in childbirth care, but the evidence about its impact on clinical outcomes is limited. This study analysed the impact of SCC on essential birth practices (EBPs), obstetric complications and adverse events (AEs) in hospitals of different profiles. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental, time-series study and pre/post intervention. SETTING: Two hospitals in North-East Brazil, one at a tertiary level (H1) and another at a secondary level (H2). PARTICIPANTS: 1440 women and their newborns, excluding those with congenital malformations. INTERVENTIONS: The implementation of the SCC involved its cross-cultural adaptation, raising awareness with videos and posters, learning sessions about the SCC and auditing and feedback on adherence indicators. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Simple and composite indicators related to seven EBPs, 3 complications and 10 AEs were monitored for 1 year, every 2 weeks, totalling 1440 observed deliveries. RESULTS: The checklist was adopted in 83.3% (n=300) of deliveries in H1 and in 33.6% (n=121) in H2. The hospital with the highest adoption rate for SCC (H1) showed greater adherence to EBPs (improvement of 50.9%;p<0.001) and greater reduction in clinical outcome indicators compared with its baseline: percentage of deliveries with severe complications (reduction of 30.8%;p=0.005); Adverse Outcome Index (reduction of 25.6%;p=0.049); Weighted Adverse Outcome Score (reduction of 39.5%;p<0.001); Severity Index (reduction of 18.4%;p<0.001). In H2, whose adherence to the SCC was lower, there was an improvement of 24.7% compared with before SCC implementation in the composite indicator of EBPs (p=0.002) and a reduction of 49.2% in severe complications (p=0.027), but there was no significant reduction in AEs. CONCLUSIONS: A multifaceted SCC-based intervention can be effective in improving adherence to EBPs and clinical outcomes in childbirth. The context and adherence to the SCC seem to modulate its impact, working better in a hospital of higher complexity.

Effect of the coverage of rapid tests for syphilis in primary care on the syphilis in pregnancy in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of rapid tests coverage in Primary Care on syphilis detection rate in pregnant women in Brazil, in municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. METHODS: The dependent variable was the syphilis detection rate in pregnant women between 2012 and 2018. As the main independent variables, the methods for measuring the coverage of rapid tests for syphilis in Primary Care were used and, as adjustment variables, some indicators of health services and socioeconomic. We opted for a linear regression model for panel data (panel data analysis), considering the municipality as the unit of analysis and the year as the time variable. RESULTS: From the results of the final model, we can infer that, for a given municipality, as the rate of rapid tests increases by one point for every thousand live births, the detection rate of syphilis in pregnant women increases by an average of 0.02 cases per thousand live births (p < 0.001). This value is adjusted for Family Health coverage, proportion of health facilities per inhabitant, per capita expenditure on health and the Human Development Index. CONCLUSIONS: There was a substantial improvement in the amount of rapid tests available, as well as a significant increase in the number of tests performed in pregnant women, which predicts an increase in syphilis rates in pregnant women. However, a worrying hypothesis is that the number of tests performed on pregnant women during the analyzed period may have been insufficient to detect the progress of the epidemic in this population.

Weaknesses in primary health care favor the growth of acquired syphilis.

Acquired syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that affects the general population and has been growing in recent years in many countries. A study was developed aiming to analyze the trends of acquired syphilis associated with sociodemographic aspects and primary health care in Brazil, in the period from 2011 to 2019. This study used secondary data from the national notification systems of the 5570 Brazilian cities and a database of 37,350 primary health care teams, as well as socioeconomic and municipal demographic indicators. The trends of acquired syphilis at the municipal level were calculated from the log-linear regression, crossing them with variables of primary health care and sociodemographic indicators. Finally, a multiple model was built from logistic regression. 724,310 cases of acquired syphilis have been reported. In primary care units, 47.8% had partial coverage and 74.1% had health teams with poor or regular scores. 52.6% had rapid test for syphilis partially available. Male and female condoms are available in 85.9% and 62.9% respectively and 54.4% had penicillin available in the health facility. The increase in trends of acquired syphilis was associated with better availability of the rapid test; lower availability of male condoms; lower availability of female condoms; lower availability of benzathine penicillin; partial coverage of the teams in primary health care; limited application of penicillin in primary health care; higher proportion of teams classified as Poor/Regular in primary health care; higher proportion of women aged 10 to 17 years who had children; higher HDI; higher proportion of people aged 15 to 24 years who do not study, do not work and are vulnerable; and population size with more than 100,000 inhabitants. The following variables remained in the multiple model: not all primary health care teams apply penicillin; higher proportion of primary health care teams with poor/regular scores; population size >100000 inhabitants; partially available female condom. Thus, the weakness of primary health care linked to population size may have favored the growth of the acquired syphilis epidemic in Brazilian cities.

Effect of the coverage of rapid tests for syphilis in primary care on the syphilis in pregnancy in Brazil / Efeito da cobertura de testes rápidos na atenção básica sobre a sífilis em gestantes no Brasil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of rapid tests coverage in Primary Care on syphilis detection rate in pregnant women in Brazil, in municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. METHODS: The dependent variable was the syphilis detection rate in pregnant women between 2012 and 2018. As the main independent variables, the methods for measuring the coverage of rapid tests for syphilis in Primary Care were used and, as adjustment variables, some indicators of health services and socioeconomic. We opted for a linear regression model for panel data (panel data analysis), considering the municipality as the unit of analysis and the year as the time variable. RESULTS: From the results of the final model, we can infer that, for a given municipality, as the rate of rapid tests increases by one point for every thousand live births, the detection rate of syphilis in pregnant women increases by an average of 0.02 cases per thousand live births (p < 0.001). This value is adjusted for Family Health coverage, proportion of health facilities per inhabitant, per capita expenditure on health and the Human Development Index. CONCLUSIONS: There was a substantial improvement in the amount of rapid tests available, as well as a significant increase in the number of tests performed in pregnant women, which predicts an increase in syphilis rates in pregnant women. However, a worrying hypothesis is that the number of tests performed on pregnant women during the analyzed period may have been insufficient to detect the progress of the epidemic in this population.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Analisar o efeito da cobertura de testes rápidos na Atenção Básica sobre a taxa de detecção de sífilis em gestantes no Brasil, nos municípios com mais de 100 mil habitantes. MÉTODOS: A variável dependente foi a taxa de detecção de sífilis em gestantes entre os anos de 2012 e 2018. Como variáveis independentes principais, foram utilizados os métodos de aferição da cobertura de testes rápidos para sífilis na Atenção Básica e, como variáveis de ajuste, alguns indicadores de serviços de saúde e socioeconômicos. Optou-se por um modelo de regressão linear para dados em painel (panel data analysis), considerando o município como unidade de análise e ano como variável de tempo. RESULTADOS: Pelos resultados do modelo final, pode-se inferir que, para um determinado município, à medida que a taxa de testes rápidos aumenta em um ponto para cada mil nascidos vivos, a taxa de detecção de sífilis em gestantes aumenta em média 0,02 casos por mil nascidos vivos (p < 0,001). Esse valor está ajustado para cobertura de Saúde da Família, proporção de UBS por habitante, gastos per capita com saúde e Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano. CONCLUSÕES: Houve uma melhora substancial na quantidade de testes rápidos disponíveis, bem como, o aumento significativo de realização desses testes em gestantes, o que prediz o aumento das taxas de sífilis em gestantes. Contudo, uma hipótese preocupante é que a quantidade de testes realizados em gestantes no período analisado pode ter sido insuficiente para detectar o avanço da epidemia nessa população.

Abordagem dos cirurgiões-dentistas da Estratégia Saúde da Família sobre o câncer bucal / Analysis of the dental surgeon approach of the Familt Health Strategy on the oral cancer

Objetivo: este estudo busca analisar a atuação dos cirurgiões-dentistas da rede pública de saúde acerca do câncer bucal. Método: trata-se de um estudo transversal no qual foram entrevistados 217 dentistas. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de um questionário estruturado, enviado via e-mail, pelo Conselho Regional de Odontologia do Rio Grande do Norte. Resultados: um terço dos profissionais relatou ser capaz de realizar biópsias e citologia esfoliativa, mas apenas 15,2% das unidades de saúde possuíam condições materiais para fazê-las. Cerca de 85% dos cirurgiões-dentistas possuíam o conhecimento básico sobre o câncer bucal e 66,8% realizavam ações educativas-preventivas. Conclusão: embora a maioria dos cirurgiões-dentistas tivessem conhecimento adequado para realizar o diagnóstico bucal, a maioria não era capaz de realizar procedimentos cirúrgicos com finalidade diagnóstica. A realização desse exame durante a atenção primária é perfeitamente possível, por necessitar de baixa complexidade de equipamentos, e sua eficácia no diagnóstico permite a detecção precoce e o início do tratamento em estágios iniciais da doença, podendo reduzir as taxas de mortalidade por câncer bucal.(AU)

Objective: this study sought to analyze the performance of dental surgeons in the public health network regarding oral cancer. Method: this is a cross-sectional study in which 217 dentists were interviewed. Data collection was conducted through a structured questionnaire sent via e-mail, by the Regional Council of Dentistry of Rio Grande do Norte. Results: one third of the professionals reported being able to perform biopsies and exfoliative cytology, but only 15.2% of the Health Units had material conditions to carry them out. About 85% of dental surgeons had basic knowledge about oral cancer, and 66.8% performed educational- preventive actions. Conclusion: although most dental surgeons had adequate knowledge to perform the oral diagnosis, most of them were not able to perform surgical procedures for diagnostic purposes. The performance of this exam in primary care is perfectly possible because it requires low equipment complexity, and its effectiveness in diagnosis allows for early detection and initiation of treatment in the early stages of the disease, which can reduce oral cancer mortality rates.(AU)

Multicentre cross-sectional study on adverse events and good practices in maternity wards in Brazil and Mexico: same problems, different magnitude.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of delivery care in maternity wards in Brazil and Mexico based on good practices (GP) and adverse events (AE), in order to identify priorities for improvement. DESIGN: A multicentre cross-sectional study with data collection from medical records between 2015 and 2016 to compare indicators of maternal and neonatal GP and EA based on the Safe Childbirth Checklist and standardised obstetric quality indicators. Two Brazilian and five Mexican maternity wards participated in the study. Descriptive statistics and χ2 tests were performed to assess performance and significant differences between the hospitals investigated. SAMPLING: We analysed 720 births in Brazil and 2707 in Mexico, which were selected using a systematic random sampling of 30 medical records every fortnight for 12 2-week periods in Brazil and 18 2-week periods in Mexico. We included women and their newborns, excluding those with congenital malformations. RESULTS: The Mexican hospitals showed greater adherence to GP (58.2%) and a lower incidence of AE (12.9%) than the participating institutions in Brazil (26.8% compliance with GP and 16.0% AE). In spite of these differences, the relative importance of particular quality problems and type of AE are similar in both countries. Tertiary hospitals, caring for women at higher risk, have significantly (p<0.001) higher rates of AE (27.2% in Brazil and 29.6% in Mexico) than institutions attending women at lower risk, where the frequency of AE ranges from 4.7% to 11.2%. Differences were significant (p<0.001) for most indicators of GP and AE. CONCLUSION: Data from outcome and process measures revealed similar types of failures in the quality of childbirth care in both countries and indicate the need of rationalising the use of antibiotics for the mother and episiotomy, encouraging greater adherence to partograph and to the use of magnesium sulfate for the treatment of severe preeclampsia/eclampsia.

Adaptation and validation of the World Health Organization's on Safe Childbirth Checklist for the Brazilian context / Adaptação e validação da lista de verificação do parto seguro da Organização Mundial da Saúde para o contexto brasileiro

Abstract Objectives: to culturally adapt and validate the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) in Brazilian hospitals. Methods: a methodological study was carried out with consensus techniques and cross-cultural adaptation stages. The original SCC underwent three adaptation and validation stages: 1- nominal group with a panel of experts; 2- consensus conference at two maternity schools, in meetings with professionals who would use the list; 3- pre-test with a structured questionnaire for health professionals from both maternities (n=40) after 30 days of using the checklist. Validation criteria contemplated the content validity, adequated to Brazilian protocols, terminology and feasibility for local context. Results: the adapted SCC in Brazil was called the Lista de Verificação para o Parto Seguro - Brasil (LVPS-BR) (Checklist for Safe Childbirth -Brazil) and included 49 items. In the first stage, the 29 items of the original SCC were approved with some adaptations (e.g. CD4 was replaced by the Rapid HIV Test). In the second stage, some of the 29 items were adjusted and added 24 items more. In the third stage, three items were excluded, two were grouped and one more was added. Conclusions: the validation process provided a potentially useful LVPS for the Brazilian context, presenting validity and feasibility evidences for the Brazilian context.

Resumo Objetivos: adaptar culturalmente e validar o Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) da OMS para os hospitais brasileiros. Métodos: realizou-se uma pesquisa metodológica com técnicas de consenso e etapas de adaptação transcultural. O SCC original passou por três etapas de adaptação e validação: 1- grupo nominal com painel de especialistas; 2- conferência de consenso em duas maternidades escolas, em reuniões com profissionais que utilizariam a lista; 3- pré-teste com questionário estruturado aos profissionais de saúde das duas maternidades (n=40) após 30 dias de sua utilização. Critérios de validação contemplaram as validades de face e conteúdo, adequação aos protocolos nacionais, terminologia e viabilidade no contexto local. Resultados: o SCC adaptado para o Brasil foi denominado Lista de Verificação para o Parto Seguro - Brasil (LVPS-BR), contendo 49 itens. Na primeira etapa, os 29 itens do SCC original foram aprovados com algumas adaptações (ex.: CD4 substituído por Teste Rápido para HIV). Na segunda etapa, ocorreram ajustes em alguns dos 29 itens e acrescentaram-se 24 itens. Na terceira etapa, excluíram-se três itens, agruparam-se dois e acrescentou-se um. Conclusões: o processo de validação disponibilizou uma LVPS potencialmente útil para o contexto brasileiro, apresentando indícios de validade e viabilidade para o contexto nacional.

[Maternal near misses and health inequalities: an analysis of contextual determinants in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil]. / Near miss materno e iniquidades em saúde: análise de determinantes contextuais no Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil.

The scope of this study was to identify socioeconomic contextual and health care factors in primary care associated with maternal near misses and their marker conditions. This is an ecological study that used aggregated data of 63 clusters formed by the municipalities of State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, using the Skater method of area regionalization, as the unit of analysis. The ratio of maternal near misses and their marker conditions were obtained from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System. In multiple linear regression analysis, there was a significant association between maternal near misses and variables of poverty and poor primary health care. Hypertensive disorders were also associated with poverty and poor primary care and the occurrence of hemorrhaging was associated with infant mortality. It was observed that the occurrence of maternal near misses is linked to unfavorable socioeconomic conditions and poor quality health care that are a reflection of public policies that accentuate health inequalities.

Near miss materno e iniquidades em saúde: análise de determinantes contextuais no Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil / Maternal near misses and health inequalities: an analysis of contextual determinants in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os fatores contextuais socioeconômicos e de assistência à saúde na atenção básica associados ao near miss materno e a suas condições marcadoras. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico que utilizou como unidade de análise os dados agregados de 63 clusters formados pelos municípios do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil, através do método Skater de regionalização de áreas. A razão de near miss materno e de suas condições marcadoras foram obtidas através do Sistema de Informação Hospitalar do Sistema Único de Saúde. Na análise de regressão linear múltipla, houve associação significativa entre o near miss materno e variáveis relacionadas à pobreza e à pior assistência na atenção básica. As doenças hipertensivas também associaram-se à pobreza e à pior assistência e a ocorrência de hemorragia associou-se à mortalidade infantil. Pôde-se constatar que a ocorrência de near miss materno está relacionada a condições socioeconômicas desfavoráveis e a uma assistência à saúde de pior qualidade que são reflexo de políticas públicas que reforçam a iniquidade em saúde.

The scope of this study was to identify socioeconomic contextual and health care factors in primary care associated with maternal near misses and their marker conditions. This is an ecological study that used aggregated data of 63 clusters formed by the municipalities of State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, using the Skater method of area regionalization, as the unit of analysis. The ratio of maternal near misses and their marker conditions were obtained from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System. In multiple linear regression analysis, there was a significant association between maternal near misses and variables of poverty and poor primary health care. Hypertensive disorders were also associated with poverty and poor primary care and the occurrence of hemorrhaging was associated with infant mortality. It was observed that the occurrence of maternal near misses is linked to unfavorable socioeconomic conditions and poor quality health care that are a reflection of public policies that accentuate health inequalities.

[Prevalence and factors associated with Maternal Near Misses: a survey of the population in a capital city of the Brazilian Northeast]. / Prevalência e fatores associados ao Near Miss Materno: inquérito populacional em uma capital do Nordeste Brasileiro.

The scope of this study was to determine the prevalence of near misses and complications during pregnancy and the puerperal period, identifying the main clinical and intervention markers and socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with near misses. It involved a cross-sectional, population-based and probabilistic study with multi-stage complex sampling design conducted in Natal, State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. A validated questionnaire was given to 848 women aged 15 to 49 identified in 8,227 households in 60 census sectors. In theanalysis of associations, the Chi-square test applied and calculated the prevalence ratio (PR) with Confidence Interval (CI) of 95% and 5% significance. The prevalence of maternal near misses was 41.1/1000LB, with hospitalization in an Intensive Care Unit (19.1/1000LB) and eclampsia (13.5/1000LB) being the most important markers. The prevalence of complications during pregnancy and the puerperal period was 21.2%. The highest prevalence of near misses was observed in older women, of black/brown race and low socioeconomic status. Conducting population surveys is feasible and may add important information to the study of near misses and the markers highlight the need for enhancing maternal care to reduce health inequality.

Prevalência e fatores associados ao Near Miss Materno: inquérito populacional em uma capital do Nordeste Brasileiro / Prevalence and factors associated with Maternal Near Misses: a survey of the population in a capital city of the Brazilian Northeast

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência do near miss e de complicações no período gravídico-puerperal, identificando seus principais marcadores clínicos e de intervenção e os fatores socioeconômicos e demográficos a ele associados. Trata-se de um estudo seccional, de base populacional, probabilístico, com amostra complexa, realizado em Natal/RN, Brasil. Aplicou-se um questionário validado em 848 mulheres, de 15 a 49 anos, identificadas em 8.227 domicílios de 60 setores censitários. Nas análises de associações, aplicou-se o teste Qui-quadrado e calculou-se a Razão de Prevalência (RP) com Intervalo de Confiança (IC) de 95% e significância de 5%. A prevalência de near miss materno foi de 41,1/1.000 NV, sendo a internação em UTI (19,1/1.000 NV) e a eclampsia (13,5/1.000 NV) os marcadores mais referidos. A prevalência de complicações no período gravídico-puerperal foi de 21,2%. A maior prevalência do near miss foi observada nas mulheres com maior idade, da raça preta/parda e com piores condições socioeconômicas. A realização de inquéritos populacionais é factível e pode acrescentar informações importantes ao estudo do near miss e seus marcadores apontam para a necessidade de fortalecimento da assistência materna para reduzir iniquidades em saúde.

The scope of this study was to determine the prevalence of near misses and complications during pregnancy and the puerperal period, identifying the main clinical and intervention markers and socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with near misses. It involved a cross-sectional, population-based and probabilistic study with multi-stage complex sampling design conducted in Natal, State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. A validated questionnaire was given to 848 women aged 15 to 49 identified in 8,227 households in 60 census sectors. In theanalysis of associations, the Chi-square test applied and calculated the prevalence ratio (PR) with Confidence Interval (CI) of 95% and 5% significance. The prevalence of maternal near misses was 41.1/1000LB, with hospitalization in an Intensive Care Unit (19.1/1000LB) and eclampsia (13.5/1000LB) being the most important markers. The prevalence of complications during pregnancy and the puerperal period was 21.2%. The highest prevalence of near misses was observed in older women, of black/brown race and low socioeconomic status. Conducting population surveys is feasible and may add important information to the study of near misses and the markers highlight the need for enhancing maternal care to reduce health inequality.

Prevalência e fatores associados a morbidade materna: inquérito populacional em Natal/RN / Prevalence and factors associated with maternal morbidity: a population survey in Natal / RN

INTRODUÇÃO: A morbidade materna grave, também conhecida como near miss materno, tem sido utilizada como mais uma estratégia para o estudo da mortalidade materna, pois além de ser mais frequente, compartilha os mesmos determinantes e possibilita a implementação da vigilância epidemiológica dos casos. Desde então, auditorias em hospitais têm sido realizadas a fim de determinar as razões de near miss materno, suas principais causas e seus fatores associados. Mais recentemente, inquéritos populacionais a partir da morbidade auto-referida também têm sido apresentados como viáveis na identificação desses casos. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência de near miss materno e de complicações no período gravídico-puerperal no município de Natal/RN e estudar seus fatores associados. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo seccional, de base populacional realizado no município de Natal/RN, Brasil, que tem como população-alvo as mulheres de 15 a 49 anos que engravidaram nos últimos cinco anos. Realizou-se um processo de amostragem probabilístico com desenho de amostras complexas, no qual foram sorteados 60 setores censitários distribuídos em três estratos (norte, sul-leste e oeste). Em seguida sortearam-se os domicílios que deveriam ser incluídos na pesquisa a fim de obter uma amostra de 908 mulheres elegíveis nas quais foi aplicado um questionário. Nas análises descritivas e de associações bivariadas aplicou-se o teste Qui-quadrado e calculou-se a Razão de Prevalência (RP) com Intervalo de Confiança (IC) de 95% considerando os pesos e efeitos do delineamento. A regressão de Poisson, também com significância de 5% e IC de 95%, foi utilizada para as análises dos fatores associados. RESULTADOS: Foram entrevistadas 848 mulheres identificadas em 8.227 domicílios percorridos, totalizando uma taxa de resposta de 93,4%. A prevalência de near miss materno foi de 41,1/1.000NV, sendo a internação em UTI (19,1/1.000NV) o marcador mais referido, seguido da eclampsia (13,5/1.000NV). A prevalência de complicações no período gravídico-puerperal foi de 21,2%, sendo a hemorragia (10,7%) e a infecção urinária (10,7%) as condições clínicas mais relatadas e a permanência no hospital por mais de uma semana após o parto a intervenção mais frequente (5,4%). Quanto aos fatores associados, a análise bivariada mostrou associação entre o maior número de complicações nas mulheres da raça preta/parda (RP=1,23; IC95%=1,04-1,46) e com pior situação socioeconômica (RP=1,33; IC95%=1,12-1,58), nas mulheres que fizeram o pré-natal no serviço público (RP=1,42; IC95%=1,16-1,72), que não foram orientadas durante o pré- natal sobre lugar onde deveriam fazer o parto (RP=1,24; IC95%=1,05-1,46), que fizeram o parto no serviço público (RP=1,63; IC95%=1,30-2,03), que percorreram mais de um hospital para realizar o parto (RP=1,22; IC95%=1,03-1,45) e que não tiveram acompanhante durante o parto (RP=1,19; IC95%=1,01-1,41) ou em todos os momentos da assistência ao parto - antes, durante e depois do parto - (RP=1,25; IC95%=1,05-1,48). Além disso, o número de dias de internação pós-parto foi maior nas mulheres que tiveram mais complicações (RP=1,59; IC95%=1,36-1,86). No modelo final da regressão tanto o local do parto (RP=1,21; IC95%=1,02-1,44), como a condição socioeconômica (RP=1,54; IC95%=1,25-1,90) mantiveram a associação. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: A realização de inquéritos populacionais utilizando a definição pragmática de near miss é factível e pode acrescentar informações importantes sobre esse evento. Foi possível perceber a expressão das iniquidades em saúde relacionadas à saúde materna tanto na análise das condições socioeconômicas como na questão da utilização dos serviços de saúde. (AU)

INTRODUCTION: Severe maternal morbidity, also known as maternal near miss, has been used as an alternative to the study of maternal mortality, since being more frequent shares the same determinants and enables the implementation of epidemiological surveillance of cases. Since then, hospital audits have been carried out to determine the rates of maternal near miss, its main causes and associated factors. More recently, population surveys based on self-reported morbidity have also been presented as viable in identifying these cases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of maternal near miss and complications during pregnancy and puerperal period in Natal/RN. METHODS: A cross-sectional populationbased study was conducted in Natal/RN, Brazil, which has as its target population women aged 15 to 49 years who were pregnant in the last five years. It was carried out a probabilistic sampling design based on a multi-stage complex sample, in which 60 census tracts were selected from three strata (north, south-east and west). Afterwards, domiciles were visited in order to obtain a sample of the 908 eligible women in whom a questionnaire was applied. The descriptive analyzes and bivariate associations were performed using the Chi-square test and the estimate of the prevalence ratio (PR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and considering the weights and design effects. The Poisson regression analysis, also with 5% significance and 95% CI, was used for analyzes of associated factors. RESULTS: 848 women were identified and interviewed after visits in 8.227 households corresponding to a response rate of 93.4%. The prevalence of maternal near miss was 41.1/1000NV, being the Intensive Care Unity staying (19.1/1000LB) and eclampsia (13.5/1000LB) the most important markers. The prevalence of complications in the puerperal period was 21.2%, and hemorrhage (10.7%) and urinary tract infection (10.7%) the most frequently reported clinical conditions and remaining in the hospital for over a week after delivery the most frequent intervention (5.4%). Regarding associated factors, the bivariate analysis showed an association between the increased number of complications in women of black/brown race (PR=1.23; CI95%: 1.04-1.46) and lower socioeconomic status (PR=1.33; CI95%: 1.12-1.58) in women who had prenatal care in public service (PR=1.42; CI95%: 1.16 to 1.72) and that were not advised during prenatal about where they should do the delivery (PR=1.24; CI95%: 1.05-1.46), made the delivery in the public service (PR=1.63; CI95%: 1.30-2.03), had to search for more than one hospital for delivery (PR=1.22; CI95%: 1.03-1.45) and had no companion during childbirth (PR=1.19; CI95%: 1.01-1.41) or at all times of childbirth care - before, during and after childbirth - (PR=1.25, CI95%: 1.05-1.48). Moreover, the number of days postpartum hospitalization was higher in women who had more complications (PR=1.59; CI95%: 1.36-1.86). In the final regression model for both birth place (PR=1.21; CI 95%: 1.02 to 1.44) and socioeconomic status (PR=1.54; CI95%: 1.25-1.90) the association remained. CONCLUSION: Conducting population surveys using the pragmatic definition of near miss is feasible and may add important information about this event. It was possible to find the expression of health inequalities related to maternal health in the analysis of both socioeconomic conditions and on the utilization of health services. (AU)