Evolution of fetal mortality in the setting of Argentine socioeconomic inequalities. Period 2007-2014.

INTRODUCTION: Few studies have established a relationship between adverse social conditions by geographic area (GA) and fetal mortality (FM). Objective. To assess health inequalities in relation to FM by GA.

POPULATION AND METHODS: Descriptive, ecological study. The principal components of 525 GAs were analyzed. A socioeconomic status indicator and indices of inequality were developed and estimated, and the FM ratio was calculated.

RESULTS: The Kunst and Mackenbach relative index of inequality ranged from 1.8 to 1.4 in the 2007/2008 and 2013/2014 biennia, and a higher FM ratio was estimated for the highly unfavorable socioeconomic level stratum.

CONCLUSION: The FM ratio is higher in this stratum. The gap between the ends of the socioeconomic spectrum narrowed towards the latest biennium. Regardless of this, in the GAs with a very unfavorable socioeconomic status, the FM ratio reduced in the latest biennium and increased in those with a very favorable socioeconomic status.