Determinants of infant mortality in Kisarawe district Tanzania

Abstract

Infant mortality which occurs at moment of delivery and within one year of infant life is big challenge to child growth and development especially in developing countries like Tanzania. A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore determinants of infant mortality in Kisarawe District. A sample of 102 respondents who comprised of mothers encountered infant death and those who never encountered infant death within one year after delivery were selected using purposive sampling. Survey method was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results showed that there were both neonatal (60.6%) and postnatal (39.4%) mortality incidences in the study area which constrain child growth and development. Delivery at home (β8 = 1.230, p=0.024) as social factor and breast feeding (β7= -2.188, p=0.018) as demographic factor had significant influence on infant mortality. The study concludes that delivery at home increases chances of infant deaths while infant mortality is reduced when newborn has access to adequate breast feeding. Education for mothers on the importance of safe delivery and breast feeding should effectively be provided.