Infant mortality from preventable causes in border and non-border cities

Abstract Introduction There is a great challenge to reduce infant mortality from preventable causes in Brazil, given the inequalities that exist in the territory. Objective To estimate the Infant Mortality Rate due to preventable causes and to compare the results between the border and non-border municipalities, in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Method This is an ecological study. Three groups from cities were analyzed: Group 1 - contiguous cities with urban border in a neighboring country; Group 2 - non-contiguous cities with urban border in a neighboring country; e Group 3 - non-border cities. The data were obtained from Living Born Information System and Mortality Information System. Results Infant mortality rates per 1,000 live births, by preventable causes in 2004 and 2014, were respectively: Group 1 (21.8 / 11.29), Group 2 (24.68 / 14.7) and Group 3 (14.3 / 7.23). The highest occurrence of deaths happened due to causes related to inadequate care to women during pregnancy, childbirth, fetus and the newborn. Conclusion The risk of death due to preventable causes is higher in children living in border cities, and this should be considered in the elaboration of future health policies and actions.