OBJECTIVE: To identify the spatial pattern for prematurity rate in Taubaté, SP Brazil. METHODS: Exploratory ecological study of live births with gestational ages between 22 and 36 weeks, from the city of Taubaté, SP, in 2003. The spatial analysis used the software TerraView, and the of Moran's index (IM) for preterm births, according to mother's age (younger than 20 years old and over 34 years old) and maternal education (incomplete high school). The cases of premature deliveries were treated by counts for each census sector; thematic maps were built for each situation, the BoxMap identified areas that need health care intervention. RESULTS: There were 3,914 live births in 2003, and 281 preterm infants (7.2%). The IM for preterm deliveries was 0.07, (p=0.02), showing a spatial correlation in certain regions of the municipality. The IM for maternal age was 0.03, (p=0.20), and for mother's education, 0.13 (p=0.01). The BoxMap showed 32 census sectors that require intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The spatial approach has identified a geographic pattern for premature deliveries in the city of Taubaté. The use of this tool may help planning neonatal care.
infant, premature; epidemiology; epidemiologic surveillance; risk factors; residence characteristics
