Comparative analysis of the infant mortality rate in the Russian Federation and the Privolzhsky Federal District over 1999–2018

Abstract

Introduction. The infant mortality (IM) rate is a serious medical, social and demographic problem. This is one of the main indicators of public health, which characterizes not only the quality of the medical and preventive care for women and children, but also the level of socio and economic well-being. The purpose of the study was to investigate the trend in IM indicators in the Privolzhsky Federal District (PFD) and the Russian Federation (RF) over a twenty-year period (1999-2018) and to determine the relationship with the indicators of gross domestic product (GDP). Material and methods. The analysis of official statistical data is carried out and the comparison of regional indicators with the national average values and data for a number of countries of the world is carried out. The paper uses statistical and analytical methods. The correlation between IM, total mortality and the gross regional product (GRP) per capita in the Privolzhsky Federal District and GDP per capita in the Russian Federation is carried out. Results. Over the past 20 years, both in the Privolzhsky Federal District and in the Russian Federation, a decrease in the IM rate value was found to be registered by more than 3 times. There is a strong negative relationship between IM rate and GRP per capita in the Privolzhsky Federal District and IM rate and GDP per capita in the Russian Federation. Limitations. The analysis of infant mortality in the territory of the Privolzhsky Federal District and in the Russian Federation for a 20 years was carried out using a continuous method according to official statistical reports, which is a sufficient reference sample. Conclusion. Without reducing the IM rate in all subjects and districts of the Russian Federation, it is impossible to achieve its reduction in the country as a whole. The main tool for achieving this goal is the implementation of the National Project “Health Care”, which provides, among other things, the reduction of IM. At the same time, IM indicator in Russian Federation was already less than the indicator value of 2020 in 2018, and its value in the Privolzhsky Federal District reached the planned level of 2022. Thus, the final indicator of the National Project is not only achievable, but can also be adjusted in the process of its implementation.