Correction of vital statistics based on a proactive search of deaths and live births: evidence from a study of the North and Northeast regions of Brazil

[Evaluation of the effectiveness of the intervention to improve the Brazilian Mortality Information System in Pernambuco, Brazil: a quasi-experimental study]

This study evaluated the influence of the variation in the implementation of the Brazilian Mortality Information System (SIM) on the results, before and after the intervention to improve the system in Pernambuco, Brazil. The SIM logical model and matrix of indicators and assessment were described, primary data were collected from the 184 municipalities and secondary data were collected from the system database. The degree of implementation (DI) was obtained from the indicators of structure and process, and then related to result indicators, based on the model. The intervention was directed at the shortcomings identified, and developed using strategic stages. The percentage of annual variation of the DI and the results before and after the intervention were calculated. The SIM was classified as partially implemented in the pre- (70.6%) and post-intervention (73.1%) evaluations, with increments in all components. The Health Regions followed the same classification of the state level, except for XII (80.3%), regarding implemented score after the intervention. The coverage of the system; deaths with a defined underlying cause; monthly transfer; and timely submission of data were above 90% in both evaluations. There was an improvement in the completeness of infant Death Certificates and in the timely recording of notifiable events. Strengthening the management and operationalization of the SIM with interventions applied to data registration can improve the system's results.

Improving the quality of external cause of death data in Brazil: evaluation and validation of a new form to investigate garbage codes

Garbage codes, such as external causes with no specific information, indicate poor quality cause of death data. Investigation of garbage codes via an effective instrument is necessary to convert them into useful data for public health. This study analyzed the performance and suitability of the new investigation of deaths from external causes (IDEC) form to improve the quality of external cause of death data in Brazil. The performance of the IDEC form on 133 external garbage codes deaths was compared with a stratified matched sample of 992 (16%) investigated deaths that used the standard garbage codes form. Consistency between these two groups was checked. The percentage of garbage codes from external causes reclassified into valid causes with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was analyzed. Reclassification for specific causes has been described. Qualitative data on the feasibility of the form were recorded by field investigators. Investigation using the new form reduced all external garbage codes by -92.5% (95%CI: -97.0; -88.0), whereas the existing form decreased garbage codes by -60.5% (95%CI: -63.5; -57.4). The IDEC form presented higher effectivity for external-cause garbage codes of determined intent. Deaths that remained garbage codes mainly lacked information about the circumstances of poisoning and/or vehicle accidents. Despite the fact that field investigators considered the IDEC form feasible, they suggested modifications for further improvement. The new form was more effective than the current standard form in improving the quality of defined external causes.

Investigation of stillbirths in Brazil: A systematic scoping review of the causes and related reporting processes in the past decade

BACKGROUND

Recognizing the causes of stillbirths and their associated conditions is essential to reduce its occurrence.

OBJECTIVE

To describe information on stillbirths in Brazil during the past decade.

SEARCH STRATEGY

A literature search was performed from January 2010 to December 2020.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Original observational studies and clinical trials.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were manually extracted to a spreadsheet and descriptive analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 55 studies were included; 40 studies (72.2%) used the official data stored by national public health systems. Most articles aimed to estimate the rate and trends of stillbirth (60%) or their causes (55.4%). Among the 16 articles addressing the causes of death, 10 (62.5%) used the International Classification of Diseases; most of the articles only specified the main cause of death. Intrauterine hypoxia was the main cause reported (ranging from 14.3% to 54.9%).

CONCLUSION

Having a national system based on compulsory notification of stillbirths may not be sufficient to provide quality information on occurrence and, especially, causes of death. Further improvements of the attribution and registration of causes of deaths and the implementation of educational actions for improving reporting systems are advisable. Finally, expanding the investigation of contributing factors associated with stillbirths would create an opportunity for further development of prevention strategies in low- and middle-income countries such as Brazil.

Spatial dynamics of fetal mortality and the relationship with social vulnerability

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the spatial-temporal patterns of fetal mortality according to its relationship with social vulnerability, identifying priority areas for intervention.

METHODS

Ecological study conducted in the state of Pernambuco, Northeast region of Brazil, from 2011 to 2018. The mean fetal mortality rate per city was calculated for the studied period. A cluster analysis was performed to select cities with homogeneous characteristics regarding fetal mortality and social vulnerability, then the Attribute Weighting Algorithm and Pearson correlation techniques were employed. In the spatial analysis it was used the local empirical Bayesian modeling and global and local Moran statistics.

RESULTS

Twelve thousand nine hundred and twelve thousand fetal deaths were registered. The fetal mortality rate for the period was 11.44 fetal deaths per 1,000 births. The number of groups formed was 7, in which correlation was identified between fetal mortality and dimensions, highlighting the correlations between fetal mortality rate and the Index of Social Vulnerability urban infrastructure for the municipalities in group 1 and 5, the values of the correlations found were 0.478 and 0.674 respectively. The spatial analysis identified areas of higher risk for fetal mortality distributed in regions of medium, high and very high social vulnerability.

CONCLUSIONS

The study allowed observing the existing correlations between fetal mortality and social vulnerability and identifying priority areas for intervention, with a view to reducing fetal mortality in the state.

[Ethnic and racial iniquities in infant mortality: implications of changes in recording color/race in national health information systems in Brazil]

This descriptive study aimed to discuss the repercussions of the change in the methodology for recording the color/race variable in the Brazilian Information System on Live Births (SINASC) on infant mortality rates (IMR) according to color/race in Brazil. Annual variations were analyzed in the rates of live births and infant deaths according to color/race from 2009 to 2017. The IMR according to color/race were estimated using three strategies: (1) direct method; (2) for every year, setting the same proportions of live births by color/race as observed in 2009; and (3) for every year, setting the same proportions of deaths by color/race as observed in 2009. The strategies aimed to explore the single effect of the variations in the proportions of live births or of deaths according to color/race on the estimated IMR before and after the change in the color/race variable in the SINASC database. Between 2011 and 2012 (the year of the change in the color/race variable in SINASC), there was a sudden increase in birthdates with black, brown, and indigenous color/race, along with a reduction in birthdates with white color/race, without no corresponding variations in deaths. The increase of more socially vulnerable color/race categories in the IMR denominator resulted in the attenuation of IMR for black and indigenous infants and in an increase in the IMR for white infants and consequently an artificial reduction in iniquities in infant mortality according to color/race. The change in the color/race variable in SINASC interrupted the historical series of live births by color/race, affecting indicators that potentially depend on these data for their calculation, in this case the IMR. The resulting argument is that infant mortality rates by color/race before versus after the change in the SINASC database are distinct and noncomparable indicators.

Motivations and barriers to death registration in Dakar, Senegal

Strengthening civil registration systems requires a better understanding of motivations and barriers related to the registration of deaths. We used data from the 2013 Senegalese census to identify deaths that are more likely to be registered in the Dakar region, where the completeness of death registration is higher than 80%. We also interviewed relatives of the deceased whose death had been registered to collect data on reasons for registration and sources of information about the process. The likelihood of death registration was positively associated with age at death and household wealth. Death registration was also more likely in households whose head was older, had attended school, and had a birth certificate. At the borough commune level, the geographical accessibility of civil registration centres and population density were both positively associated with completeness of death registration. The main motivations for registering deaths were compliance with the legal obligation to do so and willingness to obtain a burial permit and a death certificate. Families, health facilities, and friends were the primary sources of information about death registration. Further research is needed to identify effective interventions to increase death registration completeness in Dakar, particularly amongst the poorest households and neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the city.

Long-term impact of a conditional cash transfer programme on maternal mortality: a nationwide analysis of Brazilian longitudinal data

BACKGROUND

Reducing poverty and improving access to health care are two of the most effective actions to decrease maternal mortality, and conditional cash transfer (CCT) programmes act on both. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of one of the world's largest CCT (the Brazilian Bolsa Familia Programme (BFP)) on maternal mortality during a period of 11 years.

METHODS

The study had an ecological longitudinal design and used all 2548 Brazilian municipalities with vital statistics of adequate quality during 2004-2014. BFP municipal coverage was classified into four levels, from low to consolidated, and its duration effects were measured using the average municipal coverage of previous years. We used negative binomial multivariable regression models with fixed-effects specifications, adjusted for all relevant demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare variables.

RESULTS

BFP was significantly associated with reductions of maternal mortality proportionally to its levels of coverage and years of implementation, with a rate ratio (RR) reaching 0.88 (95%CI 0.81-0.95), 0.84 (0.75-0.96) and 0.83 (0.71-0.99) for intermediate, high and consolidated BFP coverage over the previous 11 years. The BFP duration effect was stronger among young mothers (RR 0.77; 95%CI 0.67-0.96). BFP was also associated with reductions in the proportion of pregnant women with no prenatal visits (RR 0.73; 95%CI 0.69-0.77), reductions in hospital case-fatality rate for delivery (RR 0.78; 95%CI 0.66-0.94) and increases in the proportion of deliveries in hospital (RR 1.05; 95%CI 1.04-1.07).

CONCLUSION

Our findings show that a consolidated and durable CCT coverage could decrease maternal mortality, and these long-term effects are stronger among poor mothers exposed to CCT during their childhood and adolescence, suggesting a CCT inter-generational effect. Sustained CCT coverage could reduce health inequalities and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 3.1, and should be preserved during the current global economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mortality due to garbage codes in Brazilian municipalities: differences in rate estimates by the direct and Bayesian methods from 2015 to 2017

OBJECTIVE

To generate estimates of mortality rates due to garbage codes (GC) for Brazilian municipalities by comparing the direct and the Bayesian methods, based on deaths registered in the Mortality Information System (SIM) between 2015 and 2017.

METHODS

Data from the SIM were used. The analysis was performed in groups of GC levels 1 and 2, levels 3 and 4, and total GC. Mortality rates were estimated directly and also according to the Bayesian method by applying the Empirical Bayesian Estimator.

RESULTS

About 38% of GC were estimated and regional differences in mortality rates were observed, higher in the Northeast and Southeast and lower in the South and Midwest regions. The Southeast presented similar rates for the two analyzed groups of GC. The smallest differences between direct and Bayesian method estimates were observed in large cities with a population over 500 thousand inhabitants. Municipalities in the north of the state of Minas Gerais and those in the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Bahia presented high rates at levels 1 and 2.

CONCLUSION

There are differences in the quality of the definition of the underlying causes of death, even with the use of Bayesian methodology, which assists in smoothing the rates. The quality of the definition of causes of death is important, as they are associated with the access to and quality of healthcare services and support health planning.

Temporal and spatial trends of adult mortality in small areas of Brazil, 1980–2010

To determine the variations and spatial patterns of adult mortality across regions, over time, and by sex for 137 small areas in Brazil, we first apply TOPALS to estimate and smooth mortality rates and then use death distribution methods to evaluate the quality of the mortality data. Lastly, we employ spatial autocorrelation statistics and cluster analysis to identify the adult mortality trends and variations in these areas between 1980 and 2010. We find not only that regions in Brazil’s South and Southeast already had complete death registration systems prior to the study period, but that the completeness of death count coverage improved over time across the entire nation—most especially in lesser developed regions—probably because of public investment in health data collection. By also comparing adult mortality by sex and by region, we document a mortality sex differential in favor of women that remains high over the entire study period, most probably as a result of increased morbidity from external causes, especially among males. This increase also explains the concentration of high male mortality levels in some areas.

Inequalities in infant mortality in Brazil at subnational levels in Brazil, 1990 to 2015

Background

In this study, infant mortality rate (IMR) inequalities are analyzed from 1990 to 2015 in different geographic scales.

Methods

The Ministry of Health (MoH) IMR estimates by Federative Units (FU) were compared to those obtained by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) group. In order to measure the inequalities of the IMR by FU, the ratios from highest to lowest from 1990 to 2015 were calculated. Maps were elaborated in 2000, 2010, and 2015 at the municipality level. To analyze the effect of income, IMR inequalities by GDP per capita were analyzed, comparing Brazil and the FU to other same-income level countries in 2015, and the IMR municipal estimates were analyzed by income deciles, in 2000 and 2010.

Results

IMR decreased from 47.1 to 13.4 per 1000 live births (LB) from 1990 to 2015, with an annual decrease rate of 4.9%. The decline was less pronounced for the early neonatal annual rate (3.5%). The Northeast region showed the most significant annual decline (6.2%). The IMR estimates carried out by the GBD were about 20% higher than those obtained by the MoH, but in terms of their inequalities, the ratio from the highest to the lowest IMR among the 27 FU decreased from 4 to 2, for both methods. The percentage of municipalities with IMR higher than 40 per 1000 LB decreased from 23% to 2%, between 2000 and 2015. Comparing the IMR distribution by income deciles, all inequality measures of the IMR decreased markedly from 2000 to 2010.

Conclusion

The results showed a marked decrease in the IMR inequalities in Brazil, regardless of the geographic breakdown and the calculation method. Despite clear signs of progress in curbing infant mortality, there are still challenges in reducing its level, such as the concentration of deaths in the early neonatal period, and the specific increases of post neonatal mortality in 2016, after the recent cuts in social investments.

Estimating completeness of national and subnational death reporting in Brazil: application of record linkage methods

Background

In Brazil, both the Civil Registry (CR) and Ministry of Health (MoH) Mortality Information System (SIM) are sources of routine mortality data, but neither is 100% complete. Deaths from these two sources can be linked to facilitate estimation of completeness of mortality reporting and measurement of adjusted mortality indicators using generalized linear modeling (GLM).

Methods

The 2015 and 2016 CR and SIM data were linked using deterministic methods. GLM with covariates of the deceased’s sex, age, state of residence, cause of death and place of death, and municipality-level education decile and population density decile, was used to estimate total deaths and completeness nationally, subnationally and by population sub-group, and to identify the characteristics of unreported deaths. The empirical completeness method and Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 estimates were comparators at the national and state level.

Results

Completeness was 98% for SIM and 95% for CR. The vast majority of deaths in Brazil were captured by either system and 94% were reported by both sources. For each source, completeness was lowest in the north. SIM completeness was consistently high across all sub-groups while CR completeness was lowest for deaths at younger ages, outside facilities, and in the lowest deciles of municipality education and population density. There was no clear municipality-level relationship in SIM and CR completeness, suggesting minimal dependence between sources. The empirical completeness method model 1 and GBD completeness estimates were each, on average, less than three percentage points different from GLM estimates at the state level. Life expectancy was lowest in the northeast and 7.5 years higher in females than males.

Conclusions

GLM using socio-economic and demographic covariates is a valuable tool to accurately estimate completeness from linked data sources. Close scrutiny of the quality of variables used to link deaths, targeted identification of unreported deaths in poorer, northern states, and closer coordination of the two systems will help Brazil achieve 100% death reporting completeness. The results also confirm the validity of the empirical completeness method.

Live Births and Fertility Amid the Zika Epidemic in Brazil

In late 2015, the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organization classified the increase in congenital malformations associated with the Zika virus (ZIKV) as a public health emergency. The risk of ZIKV-related congenital syndrome poses a threat to reproductive outcomes that could result in declining numbers of live births and potentially fertility. Using monthly microdata on live births from the Brazilian Information System on Live Births (SINASC), this study examines live births and fertility trends amid the ZIKV epidemic in Brazil. Findings suggest a decline in live births that is stratified across educational and geographic lines, beginning approximately nine months after the link between ZIKV and microcephaly was publicly announced. Although declines in total fertility rates were small, fertility trends estimated by age and maternal education suggest important differences in how Zika might have impacted Brazil's fertility structure. Further findings confirm the significant declines in live births in mid-2016 even when characteristics of the municipality are controlled for; these results highlight important nuances in the timing and magnitude of the decline. Combined, our findings illustrate the value of understanding how the risk of a health threat directed at fetuses has led to declines in live births and fertility.

Avaliação das informações do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC), Brasil

Resumo: Neste trabalho, avaliam-se quantitativa e qualitativamente as informações do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC). A cobertura das informações por município foi estimada pela razão entre nascidos vivos informados e estimados. Para avaliação da qualidade das informações do SINASC, relacionou-se o sistema à base de dados do estudo Nascer no Brasil, 2011-2012, e foram estimados coeficientes kappa de concordância. Em 2013, a cobertura das informações foi alta e homogênea em todas as Unidades da Federação. Entretanto, a análise por município brasileiro apresentou maior heterogeneidade espacial. Quanto à qualidade de preenchimento das informações do SINASC, os coeficientes kappa de concordância foram estatisticamente diferentes de zero para todas as variáveis testadas (p < 0,001), e as distribuições marginais para todas as variáveis consideradas foram semelhantes nas duas bases de dados. A idade gestacional foi a variável que mostrou pior concordância, com valor de kappa de 0,461. O indicador que descreve as inconsistências, medido pela soma do quadrado das diferenças entre os percentuais de prematuridade informados e esperados por faixa de peso ao nascer, teve o valor mais alto na Região Norte e o menor na Região Sul, apontando para desigualdades geográficas na mensuração da idade gestacional.

Saúde reprodutiva, materna, neonatal e infantil nos 30 anos do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS)

Resumo Este estudo apresenta um sumário das intervenções realizadas no âmbito do setor público e os indicadores de resultado alcançados na saúde de mulheres e crianças, destacando-se os avanços no período 1990-2015. Foram descritos indicadores de atenção pré-natal, assistência ao parto e saúde materna e infantil utilizando dados provenientes de Sistemas de Informação Nacionais de nascidos vivos e óbitos; inquéritos nacionais; e publicações obtidas de diversas outras fontes. Foram também descritos os programas governamentais desenvolvidos para a melhoria da saúde das mulheres e das crianças, bem como outros intersetoriais para redução da pobreza. Houve grande queda nas taxas de fecundidade, universalização da atenção pré-natal e hospitalar ao parto, aumento do acesso à contracepção e aleitamento materno, e diminuição das hospitalizações por aborto e da subnutrição. Mantém-se em excesso a sífilis congênita, taxa de cesarianas e nascimentos prematuros. A redução na mortalidade na infância foi de mais de 2/3, mas não tão marcada no componente neonatal. A razão de mortalidade materna decresceu de 143,2 para 59,7 por 1000 NV. Embora alguns poucos indicadores tenham demonstrado piora ou mantido a estabilidade, a grande maioria apresentou acentuadas melhoras.

Leading causes of child mortality in Brazil, in 1990 and 2015: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease study

Objective:

To analyze under-5 mortality rates and leading causes in Brazil and states in 1990 and 2015, using the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2015 estimates.

Methods:

The main sources of data for all-causes under-5 mortality and live births estimates were the mortality information system, surveys, and censuses. Proportions and rates per 1,000 live births (LB) were calculated for total deaths and leading causes.

Results:

Estimates of under-5 deaths in Brazil were 191,505 in 1990, and 51,226 in 2015, 90% of which were infant deaths. The rates per 1,000 LB showed a reduction of 67.6% from 1990 to 2015, achieving the proposed target established by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The reduction generally was more than 60% in states, with a faster reduction in the poorest Northeast region. The ratio of the highest and lowest rates in the states decreased from 4.9 in 1990 to 2.3 in 2015, indicating a reduction in socioeconomic regional disparities. Although prematurity showed a 72% reduction, it still remains as the leading cause of death (COD), followed by diarrheal diseases in 1990, and congenital anomalies, birth asphyxia and septicemia neonatal in 2015.

Conclusion:

Under-5 mortality has decreased over the past 25 years, with reduction of regional disparities. However, pregnancy and childbirth-related causes remain as major causes of death, together with congenital anomalies. Intersectoral and specific public health policies must be continued to improve living conditions and health care in order to achieve further reduction of under-5 mortality rates in Brazil.

Factors associated with unspecified and ill-defined causes of death in the State of Amazonas, Brazil, from 2006 to 2012

This study aimed to investigate factors associated with unspecified and ill-defined causes of death in the State of Amazonas (AM), Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study on 90,439 non-fetal deaths of residents in AM from 2006 to 2012. The hierarchical multinomial logistic model estimated odds ratios of unspecified and ill-defined causes of death. Ill-defined and unspecified causes of death proportional mortality was, respectively, 16.6% and 9.1%. Ill-defined causes showed a decreasing trend over the years, while unspecified causes only decreased in the last two years. Unspecified causes of death were associated with residence and death outside the capital, public roads, female gender, age group 10-49 years, brown skin color and when certified by forensic doctors. Ill-defined causes of death were associated with residence and occurrence outside capital, at home, ages 40 years and older, non-whites, not being single, low schooling, under medical care and when examiner was unknown. Ill-defined and unspecified cause mortality in the State of Amazonas decreased between 2006 and 2012 in AM and was associated with space and time, demographic and socioeconomic factors and medical care at the moment of death.

Assessing burn care in Brazil: An epidemiologic, cross-sectional, nationwide study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to describe the national epidemiology of burns in Brazil and evaluate regional access to care by defining the contribution of out-of-hospital mortality to total burn deaths.

METHODS

We reviewed admissions data for Brazil's single-payer, free-at-point-of-care, public-sector provider and national death registry data abstracted from DATASUS for 2008-2014. Admissions, in-hospital mortality, hospital reimbursement, and total deaths from the death registry were assessed for records coded under ICD-10 codes corresponding to flame, scald, contact, and electrical burns.

RESULTS

A total of 17,264 burn deaths occurred between 2008-2014 (mean annual 2,466 [SD 202]). Of all burns deaths 79.1% occurred out of hospital, with marked regional differences in the proportion of out-of-hospital deaths (P < 0.001), the greatest being in the North region. The mean annual number of admissions >24 hours was 18,551 (SD 1,504) with the greatest prevalence of flame burns overall (43.98%) and scalds prevailing in < 5 years (57.8%). Regional differences were found in per-capita admissions (P < 0.001) with the greatest number in the Central-West region. A mean of $1,022 (SD $94) US dollars was reimbursed per burn admission.

CONCLUSION

Given that nearly 80% of burns mortalities occurred out of hospital, prevention of burns alongside interventions improving prehospital and access to care have potential for the greatest impact.

Cause-specific mortality for 249 causes in Brazil and states during 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2015

Background

Reliable data on cause of death (COD) are fundamental for planning and resource allocation priorities. We used GBD 2015 estimates to examine levels and trends for the leading causes of death in Brazil from 1990 to 2015.

Methods

We describe the main analytical approaches focused on both overall and specific causes of death for Brazil and Brazilian states.

Results

There was an overall improvement in life expectancy at birth from 1990 to 2015, but with important heterogeneity among states. Reduced mortality due to diarrhea, lower respiratory infections, and other infectious diseases contributed the most for increasing life expectancy in most states from the North and Northeast regions. Reduced mortality due to cardiovascular diseases was the highest contributor in the South, Southeast, and Center West regions. However, among men, intentional injuries reduced life expectancy in 17 out of 27 states. Although age-standardized rates due to ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular disease declined over time, these remained the leading CODs in the country and states. In contrast, leading causes of premature mortality changed substantially - e.g., diarrheal diseases moved from 1st to 13th and then the 36th position in 1990, 2005, and 2015, respectively, while violence moved from 7th to 1st and to 2nd. Overall, the total age-standardized years of life lost (YLL) rate was reduced from 1990 to 2015, bringing the burden of premature deaths closer to expected rates given the country’s Socio-demographic Index (SDI). In 1990, IHD, stroke, diarrhea, neonatal preterm birth complications, road injury, and violence had ratios higher than the expected, while in 2015 only violence was higher, overall and in all states, according to the SDI.

Conclusions

A widespread reduction of mortality levels occurred in Brazil from 1990 to 2015, particularly among children under 5 years old. Major shifts in mortality rates took place among communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional disorders. The mortality profile has shifted to older ages with increases in non-communicable diseases as well as premature deaths due to violence. Policymakers should address health interventions accordingly.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12963-017-0156-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Adequação das informações de mortalidade e correção dos óbitos informados a partir da Pesquisa de Busca Ativa

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é propor indicadores de adequação e estimar fatores de correção para os óbitos informados ao SIM. Em 2014, foi realizada uma Pesquisa de Busca Ativa para captar óbitos ocorridos no ano de 2012 em uma amostra de municípios das regiões Norte e Nordeste, e dos estados de Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso e Goiás. Para caracterizar a cobertura das informações de óbitos, foram propostos indicadores de adequação por município. Os fatores de correção foram estimados para indivíduos com um ano ou mais de idade e para crianças menores de 1 ano. Entre os óbitos de 1 ano ou mais, as coberturas são superiores a 90% em 12 estados. Já para óbitos infantis, a cobertura foi inferior a 80% em 7 estados. Os resultados dos modelos de regressão mostraram associação entre os fatores de correção estimados e os indicadores de adequação propostos. Verificou-se grande precariedade das informações em 227 municípios, para os quais o número informado de óbitos infantis, mesmo corrigido, não conseguiu atingir o mínimo esperado. Embora os avanços conseguidos na informação dos dados vitais no Brasil sejam reconhecidos, os resultados mostram que o nosso maior desafio está em alcançar municípios rurais e remotos, que ainda não dispõem de informações vitais adequadas.

Captação de óbitos não informados ao Ministério da Saúde: pesquisa de busca ativa de óbitos em municípios brasileiros

RESUMO: Introdução: A busca ativa de óbitos é uma estratégia de captação de eventos que não foram informados ao Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM) do Ministério da Saúde (MS). Sua importância na redução do sub-registro de óbitos e na avaliação da operacionalização do sistema de informações é amplamente conhecida. Objetivo: Descrever a metodologia e os principais achados da pesquisa de busca ativa de óbitos realizada em 2013, estabelecendo a contribuição das diferentes fontes de informação. Métodos: A pesquisa foi realizada em 79 municípios brasileiros. Foram investigadas diversas fontes oficiais e não oficiais de informações sobre óbitos de residentes nesses municípios. Todas as fontes de informações investigadas e os casos encontrados foram digitados em um painel on-line. A segunda etapa da pesquisa foi de confirmação dos casos para verificar as informações sobre o ano do óbito e o município de residência, assim como para completar informações faltantes. Resultados: Foram encontrados 2.265 óbitos que não foram informados ao SIM. Desses, 49,3% foram encontrados em fontes não oficiais, cemitérios e funerárias. Em alguns municípios rurais, condições precárias de sepultamento foram encontradas em cemitérios no meio da mata, sem registro do falecido. Os fatores de correção foram inversamente associados ao nível de adequação das informações de mortalidade. Conclusão: Os achados confirmam a associação entre o nível de adequação das informações e a cobertura do registro de óbitos, e indicam que a aplicação de pesquisas de busca ativa é um método efetivo para capturar óbitos não informados ao MS.

[Use of vital data to estimate mortality indicators in Brazil: from the active search for events to the development of methods]

The article addresses Brazil's historical development in the use of vital data, incorporating procedures for the evaluation of such data and research with active search of births and deaths, resulting in the proposal of methods for calculating birth and mortality indicators through the use of continuous records. In addition to research to capture vital events from the years 2000 and 2008, the article presents procedures for the correction of events reported to the information systems and the paradigm shift in the method for calculating mortality indicators, resulting from such initiatives. The study also features advances in the adequacy of information on deaths and live births in Brazil, changes in the estimates on infant mortality resulting from the proposed methods, and the challenge of estimating the indicator for subnational geographic areas with lower population contingents, mostly consisting of municipalities (counties) with low and irregular data coverage.

Trends in premature mortality due to chronic non-communicable diseases in Brazilian federal units

Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have a high mortality rate, mainly in lower and middle income countries. The major groups are cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic respiratory disease (CRD), cancer and diabetes. The Action Plan to reduce NCDs in Brazil, 2011-2022 established a 2% yearly reduction in the NCD premature mortality rate as a goal. The aim of the study was to analyze trends in premature mortality rates and also show goal achievement scenarios for each Federal Unit (FU). A time series analysis of the standardized mortality rate between 2000-2011 was performed using the linear regression model. The average annual rate of increase and the 95% confidence interval were estimated. Each FU was classified as being likely or unlikely to achieve the goal. The FUs likely to achieve the goal were: for CVD - Federal District, Santa Catarina, Mato Grosso, Rio Grande do Sul, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Espírito Santo and Paraná states; for CRD - Amazonas, Federal District and Paraná. For neoplasms and diabetes, none of the FUs are likely to achieve the goal. The articulation of the three levels of government will allow the strengthening of interventions to reduce the determinants of NCDs and to improve access and quality in health care.

Inequalities in healthy life expectancy by Brazilian geographic regions: findings from the National Health Survey, 2013

Background

The demographic shift and epidemiologic transition in Brazil have drawn attention to ways of measuring population health that complement studies of mortality. In this paper, we investigate regional differences in healthy life expectancy based on information from the National Health Survey (PNS), 2013.

Methods

In the survey, a three-stage cluster sampling (census tracts, households and individuals) with stratification of the primary sampling units and random selection in all stages was used to select 60,202 Brazilian adults (18 years and over). Healthy life expectancies (HLE) were estimated by Sullivan’s method according to sex, age and geographic region, using poor self-rated health for defining unhealthy status. Logistic regression models were used to investigate socioeconomic and regional inequalities in poor self-rated health, after controlling by sex and age.

Results

Wide disparities by geographic region were found with the worst indicators in the North and Northeast regions, whether considering educational attainment, material deprivation, or health care utilization. Life expectancy at birth for women and men living in the richest regions was 5 years longer than for those living in the less wealthy regions. Modeling the variation across regions for poor self-rated health, statistically significant effects (p < 0.001) were found for the North and Northeast when compared to the Southeast, even after controlling for age, sex, diagnosis of at least one non-communicable chronic disease, and schooling or socioeconomic class. Marked regional inequalities in HLE were found, with the loss of healthy life much higher among residents of the poorest regions, especially among the elderly.

Conclusions

By combining data on self-rated health status and mortality in a single indicator, Healthy Life Expectancy, this study demonstrated the excess burden of poor health experienced by populations in the less wealthy regions of Brazil. To mitigate the effects of social exclusion, the development of strategies at the regional level is essential to provide health care to all persons in need, reduce risk exposures, support prevention policies for adoption of healthy behaviors. Such strategies should prioritize population groups that will experience the greatest impact from such interventions.

Mortalidade infantil nos municípios brasileiros: uma proposta de método de estimação

Objectivos: propor um método para estimação do Coeficiente de Mortalidade Infantil (CMI) por município, levando em consideração a subenumeração de óbitos e a estimação do CMI em áreas de pequeno porte populacional. Métodos: o método foi desenvolvido a partir da estimação de fatores de correção de óbitos e nascidos vivos por município, no triênio 2009-2011, através de indicadores construídos para caracterizar a cobertura das informações vitais. Foi proposto um procedimento para verificar se o número corrigido de óbitos infantis atingiu o valor mínimo esperado de acordo com o porte populacional do município. No caso de insuficiência do fator de correção, foram usados os valores preditos de uma regressão multivariada para estimar o CMI. Resultados: os modelos de estimação dos fatores de correção das estatísticas vitais mostraram correlações inversas e significativas com os indicadores que caracterizam a cobertura dos dados vitais. Os valores preditos dos fatores de correção foram aplicados para todos os municípios localizados nos estados que não têm informações vitais completas. Em apenas 230 municípios, a correção foi considerada insuficiente. Conclusões: os achados evidenciam que existem, ainda, grandes problemas a superar, como as persistentes desigualdades relacionadas ao desenvolvimento socioeconómico, o acesso à assistência de saúde e à omissão da informação de óbito, que compromete o dimensionamento da situação local.