Evolution and Aspects of Child Mortality in Alagoas in the Period from 2016 to 2021

Abstract

Introduction: Infant mortality represents one of the main public health problems in the world, with a great impact on middle and low-income countries, which have as their main guidelines the definition of strategic plans for public policies aimed at guaranteeing the survival of children. Objective: To understand the evolution of cases of infant mortality in the state of Alagoas, Northeastern Brazil, through the analysis of epidemiological characteristics and their relationship with public health care. Methodology: This is an analytical cross-sectional study that included all infant deaths in the 0-4 year age group that occurred in the state of Alagoas, northeastern Brazil, from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2021. Results: From the analysis of the data, it was observed that the median number of infant deaths in Alagoas was 658 cases between 2016 and 2021 and the total in these 5 years analyzed was 3,912 deaths, in an average of 782.4 per year . The largest among all federative units considering the proportion of the child population. Most of the cases of death of children under 5 years old, represented in 70%, are due to causes considered preventable. Preventable causes are those that would have avoided death, totally or partially, in Alagoas, these values vary between approximately 400 and 500 deaths per year, and are mainly due to issues associated with care for newborns and women during pregnancy. Conclusion: The analysis of aspects of infant mortality in Alagoas, a state that was once the worst national reference in this health marker, shows us that the process of health, illness and death must be observed in different ways, considering the socioeconomic, cultural and social challenges. geographical areas of the population. The need for policies and interventions at all levels of health and in other areas such as education and infrastructure must be carried out in order to also minimize the social inequality that reflects in infant deaths.