DETERMINANTS OF PREVENTABLE INFANT MORTALITY IN A MUNICIPALITY IN PARANÁ: AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the determining factors for infant mortality in children under 1 year of age, its preventability, and public health policies for mothers and children, focusing on the municipality of Cascavel, Paraná. A quantitative and retrospective analysis of the target event was performed using the database of the Department of Information and Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System (DATASUS). The study covered the period from January to December 2023, and the following factors were analyzed: birth weight, age group of the newborn, gestational age, maternal education level, type of pregnancy, type of delivery, and maternal age. Through the analysis of infant deaths covered by the Brazilian List of Preventable Causes and the guidelines of municipal and state maternal and child health programs, it was found that, even with broad coverage of care, there are still gaps in the effectiveness of interventions. The study reinforces the importance of strengthening public policies for assisting women during pregnancy and newborns, active surveillance, and multidisciplinary action during the gestational period.