Avoidable mortality in perinatal and neonatal mortality care, Colombia, 2017 and 2018

Authors

  • Nathaly Rozo-Gutiérrez Instituto Nacional de Salud. Dirección de Vigilancia y Análisis del Riesgo en Salud Pública. Equipo de Maternidad Segura
  • Greace Ávila-Mellizo Instituto Nacional de Salud. Dirección de Vigilancia y Análisis del Riesgo en Salud Pública. Equipo de Maternidad Segura.

Abstract

Introduction: perinatal and neonatal mortality reflects the quality in the antepartum, delivery, and neonatal care period; it also reflects social, economic, biological, political, behavioral, and environmental conditions as well as access to health service characteristics related to avoidable mortality. The objective of this study is to describe the avoidable mortality behavior in the perinatal and neonatal period in Colombia in 2017 and 2018 based on methodologies discussed in the literature. Materials and methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study of perinatal and late neonatal deaths registered in Colombia in 2017 and 2018 was made. Information was obtained through the weekly individual notification of cases to the Public Health Surveillance System (Sivigila). Results: the highest proportion of avoidable mortality by implementing the European project AMIEHS (Amenable Mortality in the European Union: Towards better Indicators for the Effectiveness of Health Systems) was 84.3% for 2017 and 83.9 % for 2018. Discussion: in Colombia, the application of AMEHIS project methodology showed that 84% of the perinatal and neonatal reported mortalities could be avoided, with a rate of 13.6 deaths per 1,000 live births. This confirms the need to strengthen strategies to positively influence social determinants through promotion, prevention, early detection, and comprehensive care.