Spatial Distribution and Self-Correlation of Mother and Child Health Indicators in the State of Parana, Brazil

Abstract

Aiming to analyze the spatial distribution and self-correlation of data of mother-child health in Parana, Brazil, variables were selected from the Information System on Live Births, grouped into socioeconomic indicators: teenage mother, low education, high parity, race/color black of newborn; healthcare indicators: the prenatal coverage, prematurity and cesarean delivery and result indicators: low birth weight. The indicators were distributed in thematic maps and spatial self-correlation was measured using Morans index that quantifies the degree of self-correlation. There was significant spatial self-correlation of teenage mother, low education and high parity of the "high-high" type in the macro-regions East, Campos Gerais and South; of low coverage of antenatal care in Campos Gerais, Central-south and North and of cesarean delivery in the Northwest. Elevated proportions of indicators of risk to the health of mother and child were found in the regions East, Campos Gerais and South. These results support the evaluation and planning of health services.