The impact of changing health indicators on infant mortality rates in Brazil, 2000 and 2005 / Impacto de los cambios en los indicadores de salud sobre las tasas de mortalidad infantil en Brasil, 2000 y 2005

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the associations between changes in indicators of health-related resources and coverage, and variations in infant mortality rates (IMR) in Brazil's 27 states in 2000 and 2005. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Ministry of Health's online database, DATASUS. Stepwise multiple regressions were performed to model changes in IMR and its components (early, late, and post-neonatal mortality), using changes in the selected health indicators as predictors. RESULTS: Regression analysis showed that improving access to prenatal care (B = -0.89 per 1 000; P < 0.001), increasing public expenditure on health as a proportion of gross domestic product (GDP) (B = -0.72 per 1 000; P = 0.031), and increasing access to the water supply (B = -0.22 per 1 000; P = 0.033) were associated with significant reductions in IMR. Declining early neonatal mortality rates were associated with prenatal care (B = -0.14 per 1 000; P = 0.026) and access to sanitation services (B = -0.05 per 1 000; P = 0.026). Reductions in late neonatal mortality rates were associated with prenatal care (B = -0.12 per 1 000; P = 0.003) and inversely correlated to the rate of cesarean deliveries (B = 0.13 per 1 000; P = 0.005). Post-neonatal mortality rate reductions were associated with prenatal care (B = -0.64 per 1 000; P < 0.001), increasing public expenditure on health as a proportion of GDP (B = -0.76 per 1 000; P = 0.005), and access to the water supply (B = -0.17 per 1 000; P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Improving access to prenatal care, increasing public expenditure on health, and access to sanitation and water supply were all independently correlated to declining IMR; however, higher rates of cesarean deliveries were associated with higher late neonatal mortality rates. Continuous collection and analysis of relevant health indicators is recommended for developing evidence-based health policies and accurate predictions of how specific public health interventions...

OBJETIVOS: Investigar las asociaciones entre los cambios en los indicadores de recursos y cobertura relacionados con la salud y las variaciones en las tasas de mortalidad infantil (TMI) en los 27 estados de Brasil entre los años 2000 y 2005. MÉTODOS: Los datos se obtuvieron de la base de datos en línea del Ministerio de Salud, DATASUS. Mediante regresión múltiple paso a paso se modelaron los cambios en la TMI y sus componentes (mortalidades temprana, tardía y posneonatal), utilizando como predictores los cambios en indicadores seleccionados de salud. RESULTADOS: Según el análisis de regresión, el mejoramiento del acceso a la atención prenatal (B = -0,89 por 1 000; P < 0,001) y al suministro de agua (B = -0,22 por 1 000; P = 0,033), y el aumento del gasto público en salud como proporción del producto interno bruto (PIB) (B = -0,72 por 1 000; P = 0,031) se asociaron con reducciones significativas de las TMI. Las reducciones de las tasas de mortalidad neonatal temprana se asociaron con la atención prenatal (B = -0,14 por 1 000; P = 0,026) y el acceso a servicios de saneamiento (B = -0,05 por 1 000; P = 0,026). Las reducciones en las tasas de mortalidad neonatal tardía se asociaron con la atención prenatal (B = -0,12 por 1 000; P = 0,003) e, inversamente, con la tasa de partos por cesárea (B = 0,13 por 1 000; P = 0,005). Las reducciones en las tasas de mortalidad posneonatal se asociaron con la atención prenatal (B = -0,64 por 1 000; P < 0,001), el aumento en el gasto público en salud como proporción del PIB (B = -0,76 por 1 000; P = 0,005) y el acceso a fuentes de agua (B = -0,17 por 1 000; P = 0,037). CONCLUSIONES: El mejoramiento del acceso al cuidado prenatal, el incremento del gasto público en salud y el acceso al saneamiento y a fuentes de agua se correlacionaron independientemente con la reducción en las TMI; mayores tasas de partos por cesárea se asociaron con mayores tasas de mortalidad neonatal tardía. Se recomienda mantener la...

The impact of changing health indicators on infant mortality rates in Brazil, 2000 and 2005.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the associations between changes in indicators of health-related resources and coverage, and variations in infant mortality rates (IMR) in Brazil's 27 states in 2000 and 2005. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Ministry of Health's online database, DATASUS. Stepwise multiple regressions were performed to model changes in IMR and its components (early, late, and post-neonatal mortality), using changes in the selected health indicators as predictors. RESULTS: Regression analysis showed that improving access to prenatal care (B = -0.89 per 1 000; P < 0.001), increasing public expenditure on health as a proportion of gross domestic product (GDP) (B = -0.72 per 1 000; P = 0.031), and increasing access to the water supply (B = -0.22 per 1 000; P = 0.033) were associated with significant reductions in IMR. Declining early neonatal mortality rates were associated with prenatal care (B = -0.14 per 1 000; P = 0.026) and access to sanitation services (B = -0.05 per 1 000; P = 0.026). Reductions in late neonatal mortality rates were associated with prenatal care (B = -0.12 per 1 000; P = 0.003) and inversely correlated to the rate of cesarean deliveries (B = 0.13 per 1 000; P = 0.005). Post-neonatal mortality rate reductions were associated with prenatal care (B = -0.64 per 1 000; P < 0.001), increasing public expenditure on health as a proportion of GDP (B = -0.76 per 1 000; P = 0.005), and access to the water supply (B = -0.17 per 1 000; P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Improving access to prenatal care, increasing public expenditure on health, and access to sanitation and water supply were all independently correlated to declining IMR; however, higher rates of cesarean deliveries were associated with higher late neonatal mortality rates. Continuous collection and analysis of relevant health indicators is recommended for developing evidence-based health policies and accurate predictions of how specific public health interventions might impact IMR.

Análise das prescrições geradas pelas equipes do PSF e das unidades de atendimento imediato, em dois distritos sanitários do município de Contagem / MG

Foram analisados neste trabalho os parâmetros técnicos elegais de 3527 prescrições,correspondendo a 25% dasprescrições atendidas no mês de abril de 2000 em trêsFarmácias Comunitárias do SUS Contagem-MG.As prescrições foram geradas por 54 Equiopes de Saúde da Familia e por duass Unidades de Atendiemnto ImediatoemContagem-MG.Os resultados mostraram que amaioria dos usuários (~77%) teve suass receitas aviadas em até dois diasss após receber sua prescriç;o número médio de medicamentos por prescrição foi de 1,95,sendoque a maioria deles (83%,0) constavam na relação municipal de medicamentos essenciais; e onome genéricoapareceem85%,0dosmedicamentos prescritros.Este resultado sãomuito positivos,mas por outro lado a quantidade de informações omitidas nas prescrições estudadas ainda é preocupante,tais como a ausência da posologia(13,5%),da via de administração(21,4%),da duração do tratamento(28,6%) e da concentração domedicamento(43,9%)