Perfil da mortalidade materna no Brasil: Dados epidemiológicos de 2013 a 2022

Abstract

Objective: To describe the profile of maternal mortality in Brazil between 2013 and 2022. Method: A descriptive and quantitative ecological study conducted in Brazil, using data from 2013 to 2022. Data collection was performed through vital statistics available on TabNet, a public domain generic tabulator, from February to July 2024. Sociodemographic variables were collected, including age group, race/color, education level, marital status, and cause of occurrence and investigation of maternal deaths. Results: Between 2013 and 2022, 18,150 maternal deaths were reported in Brazil, predominantly in the age group of 30 to 39 years, of brown race/color, with 8 to 11 years of schooling and single marital status. Most deaths were associated with Chapter XV of the ICD-10, with deaths investigated and summary informed. Conclusion: The study revealed a high rate of maternal mortality among women, influenced by factors such as marital status, race/color, and education level. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the fragilities of the Brazilian health system, resulting in a significant increase in the number of maternal deaths and highlighting the need for robust public policies. Most maternal deaths are preventable and represent a serious violation of women's human rights, highlighting the urgency of recognizing and correcting the failures of the health system. A detailed study by state could provide more accurate results to address regional gaps in maternal health strategies.