Stillbirths are a common event in areas where reproductive health care is poorly delivered, such as the Northeast region of Brazil. This case-control study aimed to identify risk factors associated to foetal deaths occurred in a major obstetric facility of Fortaleza, 1.7 million inhabitants, Northeastern Brazil. 125 stillborn foetus over 20 weeks of gestation (cases) were compared to 250 healthy newborns (controls), in relation to socioeconomic, reproductive, behavioral and morbidity characteristics of their mothers. Crude and adjusted Odds Ratios were then calculated. After adjustment for confounders, the following characteristics of the mother remained as risk factors for stillbirths, with OR statistically significant at the 95% level: attending <5 antenatal consultations during pregnancy (OR=3.30 ; CI=1.92 - 5.07 ), illiterate mother (OR=3.30; CI=1.84 - 5.92 ), mother's age above 19 (OR=2.73 ; CI=1.42 - 5.24 ), monthly family income of 1 minimum wage or less (OR=2.12 ; CI=1.03 - 4.35 ) and severe illnesses or complication during pregnancy (OR=1.75 ; CI=1.01 - 3.03 ). Inadequate attendance to antenatal care consultations was the risk factor most strongly associated to stillbirths. Similarly, it was the condition most amenable to change in a short term, among those identified as risk factors.
Journal Information
Vol. 72. Issue 06.
Pages 374-378 (November - December 1996)
Vol. 72. Issue 06.
Pages 374-378 (November - December 1996)
DOI: 10.2223/JPED.646
Full text access
Fatores de risco de natimortalidade em Fortaleza: um estudo de caso-controle
Visits
1164
Maria Z. Rouquayrola, Luciano L. Correiab, Luiza M.M. Barbosac, Luís G. M. Xavierd, José W. Oliveirae, Walter Fonsecaf
a Livre-Docente em Saúde Pública, Depto. de Saúde Comunitária/ Centro de Ciências da Saúde/ Univ. Federal do Ceará.
b Mestre em Saúde Materno-Infantil, Departamento de Saúde Comunitária/ Centro de Ciências da Saúde/ Univ.Federal do Ceará.
c Mestre em Epidemiologia, chefe do Depto. de Epidemiologia, SESA-CE.
d Médico Pediatra, Departamento de Saúde Comunitária/ Centro de Ciências da Saúde/ Univ.Federal do Ceará.
e Ph.D. em Saúde Pública, Fundação Nacional de Saúde/ Diretoria Regional do Ceará.
f Ph.D. em Epidemiologia, Depto. de Saúde Comunitária / Centro de Ciências da Saúde/ Univ.Federal do Ceará.
This item has received
Article information
Abstract
Full text is only available in PDF