Inequalities and sociodemographic characteristics of maternal mortality in La Guajira, Colombia, 2010-2012

Objective. Identify the inequalities and sociodemographic characteristics that negatively affect maternal mortality in the department of La Guajira, Colombia. Methods. A descriptive study was conducted in which cases of maternal deaths in the department of La Guajira between 2010 and 2012 were analyzed, based on data from secondary sources. The difference in rates, rate ratio, population attributable risk percent, and Gini and concentration coefficients were calculated. Results. 54 maternal deaths were recorded, 61.1% of which were indigenous and 16.7% Afro-Colombians; the majority did not have any schooling (33.3%) or only primary schooling (29.6%). Inequalities in the difference of rates, rate ratio, and population attributable risk percent were calculated for La Guajira and other departments in the Caribbean region and in Colombia; however, the differences were not reflected in the Gini and concentration coefficients. Conclusions. Maternal mortality was significantly higher in indigenous women than in non-indigenous women. Sexual and reproductive health programs should be strengthened and maternal health policies improved through a multicultural approach to eliminate or reduce inequalities related to maternal mortality in this population.