Trends in hospital admission and infant mortality from diarrhea: Brazil, 1995-2005.

OBJECTIVE To analyze trends in hospitalization and mortality rates for diarrhea in children less than one year old. METHODS An ecological time-series study, between 1995 and 2005, was performed for Brazil as a whole and for the state capitals. Secondary data from the Ministry of Health was utilized, obtained from the Hospital Information System and from the Mortality Information System. During the study period, 1,505,800 hospitalizations and 39,421 deaths from diarrhea were registered among children under one year. Polynomial regression models were used to analyze the trends in hospitalization and mortality rates. RESULTS There were reductions in hospitalizations and in infant deaths from diarrhea in the country and in 13 capitals. Eight capitals experienced reductions only in mortality from diarrhea, whereas three showed decreases only in hospitalization rates from diarrhea. In the combined analysis of diarrhea indicators and of general indicators, reductions in all the historical series were observed only in Brazil as a whole and in four capitals. CONCLUSIONS The reduction in hospitalization and mortality rates from diarrhea observed through the time-series could be the result of prevention and control measures implemented.