[Health conditions for mothers and infants in Ceara. An assessment of the information system for mothers]

By surveying mothers who gave birth in maternity hospitals in the state of Ceara, Brazil, the author assesses health indicators in order to identify the risks pregnant women of different sub-populations undergo. "The conclusion was that a large proportion of the population lives in very unfavorable conditions, with poor access to education and without proper sanitation. Although exposed to greater risks, both overall and biological, the pregnant women in the study undergo fewer prenatal checks than those who have better social and sanitary conditions. This results in greater proportions of low weight stillborn children and in higher infant mortality rates." (SUMMARY IN ENG) excerpt

PMID: 12284367 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]