Trends in Hospitalization and Mortality from Cervical Cancer in Brazil Are Linked to Socioeconomic and Care Indicators

Abstract

We aimed, through an ecological survey of cervical cancer outcomes in Brazil, to analyze the influence of socioeconomic and care indicators of social vulnerability. The study sample (2010–2015) is composed of women diagnosed with cervical cancer, in different regions of the country. Data were collected from the Department of Health, in addition to searching the social vulnerability database of the Institute of Applied Economic Research. The incidence of age-standardized hospital admission declined over the years of the study in almost all regions but only one region showed a significant decline in indices of social vulnerability. In two other regions, one important indicator (human capital) significantly decreased. There was a positive correlation between vulnerability indices and age-standardized hospital admissions in most of the country. Decreasing vulnerability by easy access to cancer screening and early treatment improves cervical cancer outcomes.