Trend Analysis on Maternal and Child Mortality Inequality, Argentina, 1990-2010

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Child and maternal health represents a scenario where inequalities become visible, displaying significant differences in the risk of dying. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the trend of inequality in Argentine child and maternal health during 1990-2010. METHODS: An aggregate, observational, longitudinal design with provincial aggregation was chosen. Infant mortality rate, under-5 mortality rate and maternal mortality ratio were used for 1989-1991, 2000-2002 and 2009-2011 trienniums. Inequality measures based on the concepts of regression, disproportionality and rank were calculated. RESULTS: The trend of inequality was different depending on the used method. Infant and under-5 mortality declined over the period, primarily at the expense of the 2000-2010 stage. Inequality in maternal mortality showed a slightly downward trend, although the situation for certain provinces was not better than at the beginning of the phase. According to rank-based measures, there was an increased risk for the three mortality indicators for the 2000-2002 triennium. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of the gap in infant mortality occurred mainly during 2000-2010, while maternal mortality presented a relatively stable scenario. It is necessary to use different methods to measure health inequalities