Tendencia y causas de la mortalidad infantil en municipios de frontera en Colombia, 2005-2011 / Trend and causes of infant mortality in border areas in Colombia from 2005 to 2011

RESUMEN Objetivo Evaluar la tendencia y principales causas registradas de Mortalidad Infantil (MI) en municipios fronterizos de Colombia durante los años 2005 a 2011. Metodología Estudio ecológico en los municipios frontera del país desarrollado a partir del análisis de información institucional de la MI y sus causas utilizando la lista de clasificación de grandes causas para la mortalidad infantil y del niño de la OMS. Para el análisis se incluyeron medidas de estadística descriptiva y la técnica de análisis de conglomerados Se utilizó el programa Excel y el software R-Project para el procesamiento. Resultados La MI disminuyó de forma sostenida en el país y en los municipios de frontera entre 2005 y 2011. Se evidenció la existencia de cifras significativamente más altas en algunos de los municipios estudiados. Municipios con menor MI presentaron promedios significativamente más altos de causas relacionadas con malformaciones congénitas, deformidades y anomalías cromosómicas, afecciones originadas en el periodo perinatal, enfermedades del sistema circulatorio, enfermedades del sistema digestivo y tumores y neoplasias. En contraste, municipios con mayor MI presentaron promedios más altos de causas relacionadas con enfermedades endocrinas, nutricionales y metabólicas, enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias, y enfermedades del sistema respiratorio, muchas de ellas consideradas como evitables. Discusión Los municipios de frontera tienen aspectos sociales económicos, políticos y culturales que los convierten en zona de riesgo y generan interés para la salud. Los hallazgos revelan desigualdades en el comportamiento de la MI en frente al resto del país. La comprensión de las particularidades en estos municipios resulta trascendental para que el sector salud plantee e implemente estrategias y servicios de salud que respondan adecuadamente a las necesidades y se logre garantizar equidad en salud a estas poblaciones.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the registered trends and main causes of Infant Mortality (IM) in border areas of Colombia between 2005 and 2011. Methodology Ecological study in border areas, developed from the analysis of institutional information on IM and its causes, using the list of leading causes of death of infants and children by the WHO. For analysis, descriptive statistics and cluster analysis techniques were measured using Excel and the R-Project processing software. Results IM decreased steadily in the country and border areas between 2005 and 2011.The existence of significantly higher numbers in some of the municipalities studied was evident. Municipalities with lower IM had significantly higher average scores related to congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (conditions originated during the perinatal period), circulatory system diseases, digestive system diseases, and tumors and neoplasms. In contrast, municipalities with higher IM rates presented higher average scores related to endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases, infectious and parasitic diseases, and respiratory system diseases, many of them considered preventable. Discussion Border areas are affected by economic, political and cultural aspects that make them risk zones and generate interest for health. Findings reveal inequalities in the IM behavior when compared to the rest of the country. Understanding the peculiarities in these municipalities is crucial for the health sector to implement strategies and to pose health services that adequately meet the needs, and, thus, achieve health equity for these populations.(AU)

[Trend and causes of infant mortality in border areas in Colombia from 2005 to 2011]. / Tendencia y causas de la mortalidad infantil en municipios de frontera en Colombia, 2005-2011.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the registered trends and main causes of Infant Mortality (IM) in border areas of Colombia between 2005 and 2011. METHODOLOGY: Ecological study in border areas, developed from the analysis of institutional information on IM and its causes, using the list of leading causes of death of infants and children by the WHO. For analysis, descriptive statistics and cluster analysis techniques were measured using Excel and the R-Project processing software. RESULTS: IM decreased steadily in the country and border areas between 2005 and 2011.The existence of significantly higher numbers in some of the municipalities studied was evident. Municipalities with lower IM had significantly higher average scores related to congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (conditions originated during the perinatal period), circulatory system diseases, digestive system diseases, and tumors and neoplasms. In contrast, municipalities with higher IM rates presented higher average scores related to endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases, infectious and parasitic diseases, and respiratory system diseases, many of them considered preventable. DISCUSSION: Border areas are affected by economic, political and cultural aspects that make them risk zones and generate interest for health. Findings reveal inequalities in the IM behavior when compared to the rest of the country. Understanding the peculiarities in these municipalities is crucial for the health sector to implement strategies and to pose health services that adequately meet the needs, and, thus, achieve health equity for these populations.