Evolução temporal da mortalidade materna em um estado do Nordeste brasileiro entre 2015 e 2024

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Maternal death is defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy or within 42 days of childbirth. Data obtained from the maternal mortality indicator reflect the quality of women's health care, the impact of family planning, and the effectiveness of the assistance provided during prenatal and postpartum care. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the temporal evolution of maternal mortality in a state in Northeast Brazil from 2015 to 2024. METHODS: This is a quantitative, observational, and descriptive study. Secondary data from the Mortality Information System (SIM) and the Live Birth Information System (SINASC) of the Ministry of Health's Information Department (DATASUS) were used, tabulated byTABNET, regarding maternal deaths reported in the state of Alagoas between 2015 and 2024. RESULTS: During the analyzed period, 305 maternal deaths were recorded in the state. A significant increase was observed in 2020 (40 cases) and 2021 (54 cases), coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, while the lowest number occurred in 2017 (16 cases). The average Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) was 62.88 per 100,000 live births, peaking in 2021 (110.6). The predominant sociodemographic profile consisted of mixed-race women (79,93%), with 4to 11 years of education (77,45%), and aged between 20 and 39 years (77.71%). Most deaths occurred in a hospital setting (91.80%), with 68.20% due to direct obstetric causes and 62,50% occurring in the postpartum period. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that maternal mortality in Alagoas suffered a severe impact during the pandemic, with setbacks in indicators that remain far from the targets established by the 2030 Agenda. The research results reinforce the need to strengthen public policies and qualified nursing care to address preventable causes and reduce inequalities during the prenatal and postpartum periods.