[Stroke mortality by residence and place of death: Paraná State, Brazil, 2007]

This study analyzed stroke mortality in Paraná State, Brazil, in 2007, according to residence and place of death, using the official Mortality Information System. For deaths in individuals 65 years and older and from 45 to 64 years of age, 17.6% and 29.8%, respectively, occurred at home. An association was observed between region of residence and less than three years of schooling (OR = 3.96) four to seven years of schooling (OR = 1.75), and race or skin color (non-white: OR = 1.39). Place of death was associated with age over 65 (OR= 1.69), less than three years of schooling (OR = 1.70), and residence in municipalities other than the respective headquarters of the Regional Health offices (OR = 1.33). The results suggested inequalities in access to hospital care at the time of death from stroke, according to region of residence and socioeconomic variables. The study supports use of the Mortality Information System as a data source to back public health policies and interventions. Further studies are needed to evaluate the factors that influence quality of patient care for stroke and to verify whether the same pattern is repeated in mortality from other causes.