Abstract
BackgroundInfant mortality is one of the leading public health problems globally; the problem is even more staggering in low-income countries. In Ethiopia seven in ten child deaths occurred during infancy in 2016. Even though the problem is devastating, updated information about the major determinants of infant mortality which is done on a countrywide representative sample is lacking. Therefore, this study was aimed to identify factors affecting infant mortality among the general population of Ethiopia, 2016.MethodsA Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in all regions of Ethiopia from January 18 to June 27, 2016. A total of 10,641 live births were included in the analysis. Data were analyzed and reported with both descriptive and analytic statistics. Bivariable and multivariable multilevel logistic regression models were fitted by accounting correlation of individuals within a cluster. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval was reported to show the strength of the association and its significance.ResultsA total of 10,641 live-births from the Ethiopian demographic and health survey (EDHS) data were included in the analysis. Being male infant (AOR = 1.51; 1.25, 1.82), Multiple birth (AOR = 5.49; 95% CI, 3.88–7.78), Preterm (AOR = 8.47; 95% CI 5.71, 12.57), rural residents (AOR = 1.76; 95% CI; 1.16, 2.67), from Somali region (AOR = 2.07; 1.29, 3.33), Harari (AOR = 2.14; 1.22, 3.75) and Diredawa (AOR = 1.91; 1.04, 3.51) were found to be statistically significantly associated with infant mortality.ConclusionThe study has assessed the determinants of infant mortality based on EDHS data. Sex of the child, multiple births, prematurity, and residence were notably associated with infant mortality. The risk of infant mortality has also shown differences across different regions. Since infant mortality is still major public health problem interventions shall be done giving more attention to infants who were delivered multiple and who are preterm.
Highlights
Infant mortality is one of the leading public health problems globally; the problem is even more staggering in low-income countries
Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data and collection procedure The study used secondary data released by the central statistical agency (CSA)
We have found sex of the child, multiple birth, duration of pregnancy, Table 3 Multilevel multivariable logistic regression output for determinants of infant mortality among infants in Ethiopia, 2016
Summary
Infant mortality is one of the leading public health problems globally; the problem is even more staggering in low-income countries. In Ethiopia seven in ten child deaths occurred during infancy in 2016. This study was aimed to identify factors affecting infant mortality among the general population of Ethiopia, 2016. According to studies done from 56 countries, infant mortality was one of the global public health concern and accounts for 144 deaths per 1000 live births [2]. In Sub-Saharan Africa, infant mortality has declined from 182 to 58 deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 2017. According to the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS), the infant mortality rate was 48 deaths per 1000 live births, this constitutes seven in ten under-five deaths in the country [3]. Studying infant mortality is helpful to improve child health and maternal health as well [4]
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