Maternal mortality in Brazil among adolescents between 2007 and 2017

Abstract

Abstract Introduction One of the Sustainable Development Goals is to reduce the amount of maternal deaths. This study is essential in Brazil. Methods Epidemiological descriptive study regarding maternal deaths between 10 to 19 years old, according to race, age group, marital status, year of occurrence, schooling status, and ICD-10 category, during 2007 to 2017 in Brazil. Data was obtained from DATASUS. Results In the period, there were 2,767 maternal deaths between 10 to 19 years old; 152(5,5%) of them between 42 days to one year postpartum. Regarding age, 2,582(93%) were between 15 to 19 years old, 185(6,6%) between 10 to 14 years old. Regarding race, 1,565(56,5%) were brown, 761(27,5%) were white, 236(8,5%) were black, 69(2,5%) were indigenous. Regarding marital status, 2,060(74,4%) were single, 240(8,7%) were married. Regarding the cause of death, 542(19,5%) were due to maternal diseases with labor and puerperium complications, 348(12,5%) due to eclampsia, 209(7,5%) due to puerperal infection, 152(5,5%) due to other causes of late maternal death, 150(5,4%) due to gestational hypertension, 115(4%) due to urinary tract infection. Regarding schooling status 1,062(38,3%) had 4 to 7 school years 809(29%) had 8 to 11 years, 207(7%) had 1 to 3 years, 44(1,6%) had no schooling. The total amount of maternal deaths and late maternal deaths, respectively, according to the year, were: 220 and 12(2007), 247 and 12(2008), 267 and 7(2009), 273 and 6(2010), 242 and 12(2011), 225 and 17(2012), 241 and 17(2013), 239 and 20(2014), 235 and 19(2015), 214 and 17(2016), and 212 and 13(2017). Conclusions The limited 0,03% reduction in the amount of maternal deaths in this age group between 2007 to 2017is worrisome. The deaths among mostly single girls with some schooling level reveals that the country needs to review its sexual education policies, and to enforce guidance regarding family planning, as well as enable the female youth to recognize and denounce sexual aggressions. Key messages Know the characteristics of adolescents who suffers with the risk of maternal death in Brazil, in order to create ways of reducing these risks. Alert to Brazilian government to take part in the awareness process and start investing in improving the specialized public health service and access to information for these women.