Trend and causes of infant mortality in border areas in Colombia from 2005 to 2011

Abstract

To evaluate the registered trends and main causes of Infant Mortality (IM) in border areas of Colombia between 2005 and 2011. Ecological study in border areas, developed from the analysis of institutional information on IM and its causes, using the list of leading causes of death of infants and children by the WHO. For analysis, descriptive statistics and cluster analysis techniques were measured using Excel and the R-Project processing software. IM decreased steadily in the country and border areas between 2005 and 2011.The existence of significantly higher numbers in some of the municipalities studied was evident. Municipalities with lower IM had significantly higher average scores related to congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (conditions originated during the perinatal period), circulatory system diseases, digestive system diseases, and tumors and neoplasms. In contrast, municipalities with higher IM rates presented higher average scores related to endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases, infectious and parasitic diseases, and respiratory system diseases, many of them considered preventable. Border areas are affected by economic, political and cultural aspects that make them risk zones and generate interest for health. Findings reveal inequalities in the IM behavior when compared to the rest of the country. Understanding the peculiarities in these municipalities is crucial for the health sector to implement strategies and to pose health services that adequately meet the needs, and, thus, achieve health equity for these populations.