Gestational risk classification based on maternal death profile 2008-2013: an experience report from the municipality of Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil

• Published in: Epidemiologia e serviços de saúde 2019, Vol.28 (3), p.e2018491-e2018491
• Main Authors: Moraes, Márcia Maria Dos Santos de, Quaresma, Marcia Alves, Oliveira, Urânia Souza de Jesus, Silveira, Márcia Maria Pedreira da
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2237-9622
• DOI: 10.5123/S1679-49742019000300012

to portray the creation of a gestational risk classification based on the profile of maternal deaths in a municipality where the rate of these deaths is high, and its use in prenatal care. the profile was prepared using records of maternal deaths that occurred between 2008 and 2013, considering age, schooling, race/skin color, place of residence, pre-existing disease, reproductive history. maternal death was most frequent in women of brown/black skin color, aged 30-39, with low schooling, living in socially vulnerable districts and with heart disease as the main pre-existing disease; gestational risk was classified based on this profile, whereby points (1-3) were assigned to each lowest/highest frequency and care priorities (P) were defined - PI=regular risk (4-9pt: routine consultation/examination), PII=high risk (10-16pt: reduce waiting time for consultation/examination by 50%), and PIII=very high Risk (≥17pt: access to consultation/examination within 7 days). the new classification improved healthcare professionals' awareness of determinants surrounding maternal death and the need to prioritize access to prenatal care according to risk.