Evolution of fetal mortality in the setting of argentine socioeconomic inequalities. Period 2007-2014

Abstract

Introduction: Few studies have established a relationship between adverse social conditions by geographic area (GA) and fetal mortality (FM). Objective. To assess health inequalities in relation to FM by GA. Population and methods: Descriptive, ecological study. The principal components of 525 GAs were analyzed. A socioeconomic status indicator and indices of inequality were developed and estimated, and the FM ratio was calculated. Results: The Kunst and Mackenbach relative index of inequality ranged from 1.8 to 1.4 in the 2007/2008 and 2013/2014 biennia, and a higher FM ratio was estimated for the highly unfavorable socioeconomic level stratum. Conclusion. The FM ratio is higher in this stratum. The gap between the ends of the socioeconomic spectrum narrowed towards the latest biennium. Regardless of this, in the GAs with a very unfavorable socioeconomic status, the FM ratio reduced in the latest biennium and increased in those with a very favorable socioeconomic status.