INFANT DEATHS IN THE FIRST TWENTY FOUR HOURS OF LIFE - SPATIAL ANALYSIS IN JOÃO PESSOA, BRAZIL

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the occurrence of spatial clusters of deaths in the first 24 hours of life. Material and Methods: This is an ecological study, which used data of area from the Mortality Information System (SIM) between 2006 and 2007. Were studied all infant deaths, registered in the database, that occurred within the first 24 hours of life related to mothers living in João Pessoa, PB. We used spatial autocorrelation index of Getis and Ord to identify significant spatial clusters. Data analysis was performed on the software R. Results: The mortality rate in the first 24h of life was 4.2 deaths per thousand. It was found a positive spatial clustering region of high values in the northern city of Joao Pessoa, where the neighborhoods presenting the highest relative risk were distributed. Pregnancy length was the variable that stood out in neighborhoods showing clusters. Conclusions: The hypothesis of positive spatial clusters of high values in the northern city, where the relative risk was high, was corroborated. Preterm birth is directly related to the determinants of early death conditions, such as low birth weight. This condition should be further investigated in the neighborhoods with positive and significant spatial clusters of infant deaths. DESCRIPTORS: Early Neonatal Mortality. Epidemiologic Studies. Residence Characteristics