FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH INFANT MORTALITY IN A NORTHEASTERN BRAZILIAN CAPITAL

Purpose: Factors associated with infant mortality were identified by hierarchical model based on social and economic, health care, obstetric and biological determinants in a northeastern Brazilian capital. Methods: Observational, retrospective cohort study based on secondary data of births and deaths of children under one year of mothers living in the city of Teresina (PI). Results: For the distal level of determination of infant mortality, the characteristics that remained statistically significant were maternal age, maternal education and maternal occupation, p<0.001. In the intermediate level, all variables were statistically significant, particularly the type of pregnancy and delivery, p<0.001. The gender of the baby was the proximal level feature that had no significant association with the outcome, while the other variables of this level had association, p<0.001. Conclusions: This study evidenced that, in addition to biological factors, social and economic status and maternal and child health care are important to determine the infant mortality.