Maternal mortality in Northeast Brazil 2009-2019: spatial distribution, trend and associated factors

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the spatio-temporal pattern of maternal mortality and associated factors in Northeast Brazil, from 2009 to 2019. METHODS: This was an ecological study using the joinpoint method for temporal analysis and spatial autocorrelation and scan tests to identify clusters; regression models using the ordinary least squares and geographically weighted regression methods were used to identify factors associated with mortality, considering p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: Maternal mortality decreased by 1.5% (95%CI; -2.5;-0.5) per year (p-value = 0.009); clusters, of deaths were found, mainly in Piauí and Maranhão, the variables associated with the maternal mortality ratio were Gini Index (β = 105.72; p-value < 0.001), municipal human development index (β = 190.91; p-value = 0.001), per capita income (β = -0.08; p-value = 0.001), Firjan Municipal Development Index-Health (β = -51.28; p-value < 0.001), life expectancy at birth (β = -3.50; p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was a reduction in mortality in the period studied, with a concentration of deaths, primarily in Piauí and Maranhão; socioeconomic indicators were associated with higher mortality in the region.