Maternal mortality in adolescents and young adults: temporal trend and correlation with prenatal care coverage in the state of Bahia, Brazil, 2000-2020.

Abstract

Main results: From 2000 to 2020, maternal mortality among adolescents and young adults showed a decreasing trend in the state of Bahia. It could be seen an inverse and significant correlation between the highest number of prenatal care visits and maternal mortality in the studied groups.

Implications for services: The study suggests the importance of quality obstetric care during prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum period for reducing maternal mortality among adolescents and young adults, especially from preventable causes.

Perspectives: Improving the records of causes of death on information systems, enhancing obstetric care, and investing in sexual and reproductive health policies aimed at adolescents may contribute to the reduction of maternal deaths.

Objective: to analyze the temporal trend of maternal mortality and correlate it with prenatal care coverage among adolescents and young adults, state of Bahia, Brazil, 2000-2020.

Methods: this was an ecological time-series study and correlation between maternal deaths and prenatal care visits in 10-19 and 20-24 age groups, using the Mortality Information System; the trend analysis was performed by means of Prais-Winsten regression, according to race/skin color, timing and causes of death; and Spearman coefficient was used for correlation.

Results: in the study period, 418 deaths among adolescents and 574 among young adults were recorded; maternal mortality ratio was 59.7 and 63.2 deaths/100,000 live births, with a significant decreasing trend (-2.2% and -2.9% respectively); it could be seen an inverse correlation between a higher number of prenatal care visits and maternal mortality in the age groups.

Conclusion: maternal mortality showed a decreasing trend in the study period, but with high proportions of death; there was a significant correlation between prenatal care coverage and maternal mortality among adolescents and young adults.