MATERNAL MORTALITY REGIONALIZATION AND TREND IN MEXICO (1937-1995)

Background: The objectives were to establish regions by level of mater nal mortality in order to evaluate its trend from 1937 - 1995 and to a nalyze characteristics of cases which occurred from 1990 - 1995, Metho ds: Regionalization of the country by maternal mortality level was car ried out using Poisson regression. Level and mortality trends were ana lyzed globally and compared by regions using Poisson and linear regres sion. Characteristics of cases were analyzed from 1990 - 1995 using pr oportions and X-2 test. Results: Four well-differentiated and independ ent regions were established. Low and medium maternal mortality rate r egions were found in northern and northwestern Mexico. High and very h igh maternal mortality regions were found in the South and the Southea st of the country. Even when maternal mortality had descended, the spe ed of the descent has decreased and in the last few years, maternal mo rtality has increased. The quality of health care is a challenge for r egions with low mortality rates, while the problem of accessibility is present in those with very high mortality rates. Conclusion: The empl oyment of this regionalization approach in maternal mortality analysis would be useful to determine specific problems for each region. The e stablishment of programs according to this analysis could contribute t o decrease in maternal mortality cases in Mexico.