OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the installation of Child Mortality Investigation Committees (CMIOs) in the State of São Paulo (SP). METHODS: the study was carried out in two stages: a) a survey to establish whether committees exist in all Regional Health Directorates (RHD) and municipalities in the State; b) focus groups with members of the regional and municipal committees to identify any difficulties that have arisen. RESULTS: 87% of RHDs and 53% of municipalities were found to have CMIOs, most of which were set up between 2003 and 2005. The main difficulties mentioned during the focus groups were as follows: lack of physical and administrative structure; activities conducted on a one-off basis on the initiative of individuals or small groups; lack of support for higher levels in the hierarchy; actions not considered during planning; lack of coordination, support and articulation of infant mortality reduction strategies at State level. CONCLUSIONS: a high degree of compliance with CMIO installation was found at regional level and an average degree at municipal level. The regional and municipal committees both lack infrastructure and experience technical, operational and political difficulties that may compromise their role in reducing child mortality.
Infant mortality; Committees for Research on Child Death
