Assessing the completeness of investigation records of infant deaths in Recife-PE, 2014

Abstract Background The investigation of child deaths performed through specific files, contributes to the availability of information on the occurrence of such events. Assessments on these instruments are scarce in the country, limiting the use of such information in the development of public policies aimed at reducing child mortality. Objective To evaluate the completeness of variables in child death investigation records by mortality age group, in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Method The completion of 183 child deaths investigation records was analyzed, mainly of mothers living in this capital, by the proportion of ignored or blank fields of the 123 variables contained in seven blocks of the research records and by age group (early neonatal, late neonatal, and post-neonatal). Results The average of overall file completion was 85.5% (regular), with higher completeness in the neonatal component, late (88.4%) as early (85.9%) and worse in the post-neonatal period (80.7%). The identification of variable blocks had the highest completeness (98.3% = excellent), while the care of children and previous diseases was the lowest (68.6% = poor). Conclusion There is a regular completeness of variables in child death investigation records; however, the essential information to clarify death circumstances was poorly completed.