Abstract
The population of the Republic of Serbia has been exposed to radical changes in living standards and employment status and
inequalities in utilization of health-care services. Given that infant mortality rates (IMR) reflect general community health,
we evaluated the trends and mortality structure of Belgrade’s infant population for a 15-year period (1993–2007). Data were
collected from published and unpublished materials of the Municipal Institute of Statistics in Belgrade. Records were based
on official notifications of live-born infants and death certificates. A linear regression equation was used to estimate mortality
trends over time, while an F test was performed to assess the significance of the linear regression coefficient. The average IMR was 11.3 [95 % confidence
interval (CI) 9.4, 13.2] per 1,000 live births for both sexes with a higher average rate observed for male infants. Throughout
the whole period, a statistically significant declining trend (y = 17.072 − 0.721x, p = 0.001) was noted. The most common causes of death were conditions occurring during the perinatal period, with an average
annual mortality rate of 7.7 [95 % CI 6.4, 8.9] per 1,000, arising mainly from respiratory distress of the newborns. Regarding
congenital anomalies, deformations of the heart and aortic and mitral valves were most frequently found. A statistically significant
inverse correlation was observed between average net salary and IMR for each sex separately (for males r = −0.727, p = 0.002, for females r = −0.721, p = 0.002) and for both sexes jointly (r = −0.759, p = 0.001). A decline in infant mortality in Belgrade has been observed. However, further promotion of health-related activities,
as well as continuous surveillance of IMR, is required.
inequalities in utilization of health-care services. Given that infant mortality rates (IMR) reflect general community health,
we evaluated the trends and mortality structure of Belgrade’s infant population for a 15-year period (1993–2007). Data were
collected from published and unpublished materials of the Municipal Institute of Statistics in Belgrade. Records were based
on official notifications of live-born infants and death certificates. A linear regression equation was used to estimate mortality
trends over time, while an F test was performed to assess the significance of the linear regression coefficient. The average IMR was 11.3 [95 % confidence
interval (CI) 9.4, 13.2] per 1,000 live births for both sexes with a higher average rate observed for male infants. Throughout
the whole period, a statistically significant declining trend (y = 17.072 − 0.721x, p = 0.001) was noted. The most common causes of death were conditions occurring during the perinatal period, with an average
annual mortality rate of 7.7 [95 % CI 6.4, 8.9] per 1,000, arising mainly from respiratory distress of the newborns. Regarding
congenital anomalies, deformations of the heart and aortic and mitral valves were most frequently found. A statistically significant
inverse correlation was observed between average net salary and IMR for each sex separately (for males r = −0.727, p = 0.002, for females r = −0.721, p = 0.002) and for both sexes jointly (r = −0.759, p = 0.001). A decline in infant mortality in Belgrade has been observed. However, further promotion of health-related activities,
as well as continuous surveillance of IMR, is required.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10995-012-1039-2
- Authors
- Tatjana Gazibara, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Epidemiology, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26A, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Darija Kisic-Tepavcevic, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Epidemiology, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26A, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Jelena Dotlic, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Bojana Matejic, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Social Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Anita Grgurevic, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Epidemiology, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26A, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Tatjana Pekmezovic, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Epidemiology, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26A, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Journal Maternal and Child Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-6628
- Print ISSN 1092-7875