Evolution of child mortality from preventable causes in the state of Piauí: 2008 to 2017

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the evolution of infant mortality due to preventable causes in the state of Piauí between 2008 and 2017. Methods: Retrospective and ecological study, using secondary data from the Database of the Brazilian Unified Health System and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics referring to the Piauí, between 2008 and 2017. Pearson's coefficients for the correlation between preventable infant deaths and the percentages of municipalities with very low and low MHDI and individuals registered in the Family Health Program (PSF) were calculated, with calculation of these correlations’s statistical significance. Results: From 2008 to 2017, 8,088 infant deaths were recorded in Piauí: 5,688 preventable (70.33%), 2,114 non-preventable (26.14%) and 286 from ill-defined causes (3.54%). Deaths of male children, black or mixed race and in the neonatal period (0-27 days) prevailed. There was a correlation between the socioeconomic profile (MHDI) and health (coverage of the PSF) and the percentage of preventable infant deaths in this study (r = +0.573 and -0.961, p = 0.0306 and <0.0001, respectively). Conclusion: Despite the downward trend, total infant mortality and preventable causes in Piauí was still high between 2008 and 2017.