The evolution of mortality due to infectious and parasitic diseases (IPD) and its intra-urban distribution in Salvador (Bahia) during the 1990's was analyzed in a study of time series and spatial aggregation. This data was obtained from DATASUS and from death certificates. Proportional mortality, mortality rate and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) were used for the temporal analysis. Mortality rates due to IPD stratified by a living conditions index (LCI) were analyzed in the spatial study. Between 1991 and 1995, the proportional mortality for IPD was 8.3% and the risk of dying varied between 55.9 and 34.0/100,000 inhabitants. After 1995 the variation was between 52.8 and 41.1/100,000 inhabitants. The standardized mortality ratio for infectious and parasitic diseases in 1998 was 1.3. Infectious intestinal diseases continue to be one of the principal causes of death in this group. The highest rates of mortality from IPD were concentrated in the areas of the city where the living conditions were poor. Despite the observed decline, there is still an excessive mortality rate from IPD in Salvador. The developmental model of the Country and re-emergence of some diseases could be contributing towards this pattern.
Mortality; Infectious and parasitic diseases; Social inequalities; Living conditions
