Determinants of Neonatal Mortality in Kenya: Evidence From Kenya Demographic Health Surveys, 2008 and 2014

Abstract

Background: This paper analyses the contribution of socio demographic, neonatal, maternal and health facility related factors to the neonatal mortality in Kenya. Methods: Data from the Kenya demographic and health survey 2008 and 2014 was analyzed. Results: Logistic regression showed that in 2008, newborns with a short interval of <2 years (OR=1.938, p=0.000), very small babies, (OR 2.25, p=0.160), low birth weight (OR=6.677, p=0.000), male children (OR=1.243, p=0.028) and neonates not breastfed immediately after birth (OR=2.768, p=0.005) increased the risk of mortality. In 2014, being born in urban areas (OR=1.323, p=0.028), low birth weight (OR=2.354, p=0.008), birth interval of <2 years (OR=1.549, p=0.028, boys (OR=1.443, 0.014), mothers who did not attend ANC and those who had <3 ANC visits had (OR=4.668, p=0.000) and (OR=1.572, p=0.003) respectively as associated with neonatal mortality. Conclusion: This paper emphasizes on mother nutrition education, immediate initiation of breast feeding, attending 4 ANC and hospital delivery for better birth outcomes. Key words: Determinants, Neonatal, Mortality, logistic regression, breastfeeding, birth weight DOI : 10.7176/JHMN/65-06 Publication date : August 31 st 2019