Perfil epidemiológico e análise espacial da mortalidade materna no município de Natal, no período de 2012 a 2023

Abstract

Maternal mortality is characterized as the death of a woman during pregnancy or up to 42 days after giving birth due to any related cause, considered a serious public health problem due to its avoidability and because it indicates visible serious harm to human rights. The present study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile and analyze the spatial distribution of maternal mortality cases in the city of Natal, from 2012 to 2023. Ecological study that analyzes the Maternal Mortality Ratio in the health districts of Natal, using secondary data. For analysis of the epidemiological profile calculated as absolute and relative frequencies and for spatial investigation the Maternal Mortality Ratio was calculated. The kernel method was used to identify spatial clusters. During the period studied, maternal mortality in Natal was observed to be higher among young adult women, of mixed race, with low education levels, who were single and homemakers. Furthermore, the deaths were not evenly distributed across the territory, with most occurring in the North 2 and West Health Districts, observing a greater concentration of maternal mortality in the East, North 2 and West Health Districts, reducing critical areas for the event.