Resumen

SAMUDIO, Margarita et al. Inequalities in health determined by indicators of maternal and child health in the Department of Presidente Hayes-Paraguayan Chaco, 2008-2011. Pediatr. (Asunción) [online]. 2015, vol.42, n.2, pp.120-128. ISSN 1683-9803.  https://doi.org/10.18004/ped.2015.agosto.120-128.

Introduction: Indicators of maternal and child health reflect the economic, cultural, health and social development of a country. Objective: Describe the maternal and child health indicators in the Department of Presidente Hayes, Paraguayan Chaco and compare them to those of the entire country. Materials and Methods: We analyzed demographic, maternal and child health indicators from the Department of Presidente Hayes and those of the entire country as published by the Paraguayan Ministry of Health and Social Welfare 2010 health indicators, which correspond to the 2008-2009 time period; the 2010 indicators, which were published in 2012; and the 2011 indicators, published in 2013. Results: The largest difference in child health indicators between the Presidente Hayes department and that of the entire country was mortality in children under one year or age; the highest difference was registered in 2008  (27.7 per thousand live births in Presidente Hayes compared to 16.9 nationally), with the 2011 rates being similar.  The maternal mortality rate also showed significant differences, in 2009, the Presidente Hayes maternal mortality rate was 424.2 deaths per 100,000 live births, falling to 148.2 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2011.  The country’s maternal mortality rate was less than 100 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2011. Conclusions: Paraguay has achieved great reductions in maternal and infant mortality in recent decades; however, the maternal mortality rate is still among the highest in Latin America. Furthermore, there is a persistent inequality in maternal and child health in the department of Presidente Hayes compared to the rest of the country, probably due to the difficulty of accessing health services, as well as the high poverty level in this region.

Palabras clave : Indicators of maternal and child health; Department of Presidente Hayes; Paraguay.

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