Child Mortality In Ethiopia Research Articles

Reduction in child mortality in Ethiopia: analysis of data from demographic and health surveys.

BackgroundTo examine changes in under–5 mortality, coverage of child survival interventions and nutritional status of children in Ethiopia between 2000 and 2011. Using the Lives Saved Tool, the impact of changes in coverage of child survival interventions on under–5 lives saved was estimated.MethodsEstimates of child mortality were generated using three Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys undertaken between 2000 and 2011. Coverage indicators for high impact child health interventions were calculated and the Lives Saved Tool (LiST) was used to estimate child lives saved in 2011.ResultsThe mortality rate in children younger than 5 years decreased rapidly from 218 child deaths per 1000 live births (95% confidence interval 183 to 252) in the period 1987–1991 to 88 child deaths per 1000 live births in the period 2007–2011 (78 to 98). The prevalence of moderate or severe stunting in children aged 6–35 months also declined significantly. Improvements in the coverage of interventions relevant to child survival in rural areas of Ethiopia between 2000 and 2011 were found for tetanus toxoid, DPT3 and measles vaccination, oral rehydration solution (ORS) and care–seeking for suspected pneumonia. The LiST analysis estimates that there were 60 700 child deaths averted in 2011, primarily attributable to decreases in wasting rates (18%), stunting rates (13%) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions (13%).ConclusionsImprovements in the nutritional status of children and increases in coverage of high impact interventions most notably WASH and ORS have contributed to the decline in under–5 mortality in Ethiopia. These proximal determinants however do not fully explain the mortality reduction which is plausibly also due to the synergistic effect of major child health and nutrition policies and delivery strategies.

Indirect child mortality estimation technique to identify trends of under-five mortality in Ethiopia.

In sub-Saharan African countries, the chance of a child dying before the age of five years is high. The problem is similar in Ethiopia, but it shows a decrease over years. The 2000; 2005 and 2011 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey results were used for this work. The purpose of the study is to detect the pattern of under-five child mortality overtime. Indirect child mortality estimation technique is adapted to examine the under-five child mortality trend in Ethiopia. From the result, it was possible to see the trend of under-five child mortality in Ethiopia. The under-five child mortality shows a decline in Ethiopia. From the study, it can be seen that there is a positive correlation between mother and child survival which is almost certain in any population. Therefore, this study shows the trend of under-five mortality in Ethiopia and decline over time.

Effects of the integrated Community Case Management of Childhood Illness Strategy on Child Mortality in Ethiopia: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

We conducted a cluster randomized trial of the effects of the integrated community case management of childhood illness (iCCM) strategy on careseeking for and coverage of correct treatment of suspected pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria, and mortality among children aged 2–59 months in 31 districts of the Oromia region of Ethiopia. We conducted baseline and endline coverage and mortality surveys approximately 2 years apart, and assessed program strength after about 1 year of implementation. Results showed strong iCCM implementation, with iCCM-trained workers providing generally good quality of care. However, few sick children were taken to iCCM providers (average 16 per month). Difference in differences analyses revealed that careseeking for childhood illness was low and similar in both study arms at baseline and endline, and increased only marginally in intervention (22.9–25.7%) and comparison (23.3–29.3%) areas over the study period (P = 0.77). Mortality declined at similar rates in both study arms. Ethiopia's iCCM program did not generate levels of demand and utilization sufficient to achieve significant increases in intervention coverage and a resulting acceleration in reductions in child mortality. This evaluation has allowed Ethiopia to strengthen its strategic approaches to increasing population demand and use of iCCM services.

Factors Explaining Child Survival in Ethiopia: Application of Two‐Stage Probit Model

AbstractPolicymakers in many developing countries had been mandated to pursue the goal of reducing child mortality as one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This paper analyses the factors influencing child survival in Ethiopia using a 2011 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) dataset. Descriptive statistics and two‐stage least square probit regression were employed for data analyses. Results showed that the majority of the children (82.19 per cent) were born to households in rural areas, while average household heads' age was 42.78 years. Using combined children data, fertility, age of household heads, residence in urban areas, drinking of alcohol and smoking significantly reduced probability of child survival, while altitude, education, male household headship, age at first birth and rendering of assistance on domestic chores by the husband increased it (p < 0.05). It was concluded that efforts at reducing maternal fertility by promoting education of female children will go a long way in reducing child mortality in Ethiopia.

Local understandings of care during delivery and postnatal period to inform home based package of newborn care interventions in rural Ethiopia: a qualitative study.

BackgroundDespite a substantial decrease in child mortality in Ethiopia over the past decade, neonatal mortality remains unchanged (37/1000 live-births). This paper describes a qualitative study on beliefs and practices on immediate newborn and postnatal care in four rural communities of Ethiopia conducted to inform development of a package of community-based interventions targeting newborns.MethodsThe study team conducted eight key informant interviews (KII) with grandmothers, 27 in-depth interviews (IDI) with mothers; seven IDI with traditional birth attendants (TBA) and 15IDI with fathers, from four purposively selected communities located in Sidama Zone of Southern Nationalities, Nations, and Peoples (SNNP) Region and in East Shewa and West Arsi Zones of Oromia Region.ResultsIn the study communities deliveries occurred at home. After cutting the umbilical cord, the baby is put to the side of the mother, not uncommonly with no cloth covering. This is largely due to attendants focusing on delivery of the placenta which is reinforced by the belief that the placenta is the ‘house’ or ‘blanket’ of the baby and that any “harm” caused to the placenta will transfer to the newborn. Applying butter or ointment to the cord “to speed drying” is common practice. Initiation of breastfeeding is often delayed and women commonly report discarding colostrum before initiating breastfeeding. Sub-optimal breastfeeding practices continue, due to perceived inadequate maternal nutrition and breast milk often leading to the provision of herbal drinks. Poor thermal care is also demonstrated through lack of continued skin-to-skin contact, exposure of newborns to smoke, frequent bathing—often with cold water baths for low-birth weight or small babies; and, poor hygienic practices are reported, particularly hand washing prior to contact with the newborn.ConclusionCultural beliefs and newborn care practices do not conform to recommended standards. Local perspectives related to newborn care practices should inform behaviour change messages. Such messages should target mothers, grandmothers, TBAs, other female family members and fathers.

G317(P) Use of Clinical Audit to Improve Neonatal Thermoregulation at a University Hospital in Ethiopia

AimsTo use the audit cycle to assess and improve the standard of neonatal thermoregulatory care.To demonstrate the usefulness of clinical audit in a resource-limited setting.MethodsA prospective audit was undertaken on...

Determinant of Infant and Child Mortality in Ethiopia

Child mortality reflects a country’s level of socio-economic development and quality of life. In this paper, the determinant factors of infant and child mortality in Ethiopia have been analyzed with a particular emphasis on assessing possible time-variations in the effects of covariates. The analysis was based on micro data from the 2011 Demographic and health Survey (2011EDHS). In general conclusions, the findings of this paper study demonstrate that different factors such as mother’s educational status, place of residence, birth order number of children, preceding birth intervals, household size/family size, source of drinking water, mother’s marital status, types of birth occurred, and breast feeding status have statistically significant impacts to determine infant and child death in Ethiopia.

Modeling Mortality of Children Under Five in Ethiopia Using Bayesian Approach

Child mortality reflects a country’s level of socio-economic development and quality of life. In developing countries, mortality rates are influenced by socio-economic, demographic and environmental variables. In this paper, we analyze the causes of child mortality in Ethiopia, with a particular emphasis on assessing possible time-variations in the effects of covariates, i.e. whether the effects of certain covariates vary with the age of the child. The analysis is based on micro data from the 2005 Demographic and health Survey. Employing a Bayesian Semi Parametric Probit Model for discrete time survival data and Markov-Chain Monte Carlo methods (MCMC), we find that there are several variables, including the age of the mother and the breast feeding duration whose effects exhibit distinct age-dependencies. In the case of breast feeding, this age dependency is intimately linked with the reasons for stopping breast feeding. Incorporating such age dependencies greatly improves the explanatory power of the model and yields new insights on the differential role of covariates on child survival.

Prioritizing child health interventions in Ethiopia: modeling impact on child mortality, life expectancy and inequality in age at death.

BackgroundThe fourth Millennium Development Goal calls for a two-thirds reduction in under-5 mortality between 1990 and 2015. Under-5 mortality rate is declining, but many countries are still far from achieving the goal. Effective child health interventions that could reduce child mortality exist, but national decision-makers lack contextual information for priority setting in their respective resource-constrained settings. We estimate the potential health impact of increasing coverage of 14 selected health interventions on child mortality in Ethiopia (2011–2015). We also explore the impact on life expectancy and inequality in the age of death (Ginihealth).Methods and FindingsWe used the Lives Saved Tool to estimate potential impact of scaling-up 14 health interventions in Ethiopia (2011–2015). Interventions are scaled-up to 1) government target levels, 2) 90% coverage and 3) 90% coverage of the five interventions with the highest impact. Under-5 mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate and deaths averted are primary outcome measures. We used modified life tables to estimate impact on life expectancy at birth and inequality in the age of death (Ginihealth). Under-5 mortality rate declines from 101.0 in 2011 to 68.8, 42.1 and 56.7 per 1000 live births under these three scenarios. Prioritizing child health would also increase life expectancy at birth from expected 60.5 years in 2015 to 62.5, 64.2 and 63.4 years and reduce inequality in age of death (Ginihealth) substantially from 0.24 to 0.21, 0.18 and 0.19.ConclusionsThe Millennium Development Goal for child health is reachable in Ethiopia. Prioritizing child health would also increase total life expectancy at birth and reduce inequality in age of death substantially (Ginihealth).

Sub-optimal breastfeeding of infants during the first six months and associated factors in rural communities of Jimma Arjo Woreda, Southwest Ethiopia

BackgroundStudies have shown that sub-optimal breastfeeding is major contributor to infant and young child mortality in Ethiopia. To address this problem, infant and young child feeding guideline was developed in 2004 and interventions have been going on based on the guidelines. There is no study that assessed whether the infant and child feeding practices are according the guideline or not. This study was carried out to assess sub-optimal breastfeeding practices and associated factors among infants from birth to six months in rural communities of Jimma Arjo Woreda in the Southwest Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out from December to January 2009. Quantitative data were collected from a sample of 382 respondents supplemented by qualitative data generated using in-depth interviews of 15 index mothers. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of timely initiation of breast feeding and non-exclusive breast feeding among mother-infant pairs.ResultsMore than three fourth of mothers breastfeed their infants sub-optimally. Thirty-seven percent of mothers initiated breastfeeding later than one hour after delivery, which was significantly associated with not attending formal education (AOR = 1.05[95%CI: 1.03, 1.94]) and painful breastfeeding experiences (AOR = 5.02[95%CI: 1.01, 10.08]). The majority (67.02%) of mothers had no knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding. Non-exclusive breastfeeding was negatively associated with child’s age of 0-2 months (AOR: 0.27[95%CI: 0.16, 0.47) and 3-4 months (AOR = 0.43 [95%CI: 0.25, 0.73) and ownership of radio (AOR = 0.56[95%CI: 0.37, 0.88]), but positively associated with the practice of discarding colostrums (AOR = 1.78[95%CI: 1.09, 4.94]).ConclusionThe findings showed that the majority of mothers sub-optimally breastfeed their children in the study area. As most of the mothers do not have knowledge on the exclusive breast feeding. Enhancing community based behavior change communications using multiple channels including radio and folk media is recommended to reduce sub-optimal breast feeding practices and associated consequences among children in the study area.

Infant and child mortality in Ethiopia: A statistical analysis approach

This study uses data from the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey [2005 EDHS] conducted in 2005 to investigate the predictors of child [0-5 years] mortality in developing country like Ethiopia. The specific objectives of this study are to identify the factors which are affecting child mortality and to suggest viable strategies to increase health service and reduce child mortality in Ethiopia. The crosstabulation technique has been used to estimate the predictors of child mortality. The cross-tabulation analysis shows that Birth Interval with Previous child and mother standard of living index is the vital factor associated wi th child mortal ity. Furthermore, Mother’s education, birth order has substantial impact on child mortality in E t h i o p i a . Finally these findings specified that an increase in Mothers’ education, improve health care services which should in turn raise child survival and should decrease child mortality in Ethiopia.

Azithromycin Reduces Child Mortality in Ethiopia

Ocular trachoma is a major cause of blindness in the developing world, and the WHO has recommended mass distribution of oral azithromycin in areas where the causative pathogen — Chlamydia trachomatis — is endemic. Azithromycin might also reduce rates of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, or even malaria, thus decreasing childhood …

Coverage of the National Vitamin A Supplementation Program in Ethiopia

Periodic vitamin A supplementation is a major intervention to reduce morbidity, mortality, and blindness among children in developing countries. The goal was to characterize the coverage of the Ethiopia national vitamin A program among preschool children and to identify risk factors for not receiving vitamin A. In the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey of 2005, among 4762 preschool children, aged 12-59 months, 46.8% received a vitamin A capsule within the last 6 months. There were no significant differences in stunting, underweight, or wasting between children who did or did not receive a vitamin A capsule. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, maternal education of > or =10 years [odds ratio (OR) 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-2.92], 7-9 years (OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.67-3.65), 4-6 years (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.18-2.07), and 1-3 years (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.90-1.37), and paternal education of > or =10 years (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.14-2.29), 7-9 years (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.94-1.64), 4-6 years (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.03-1.56), and 1-3 years (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.05-1.50) were associated with the child receiving a vitamin A capsule compared with no years of formal parental education. Expanded coverage of the national vitamin A capsule program may help protect children from nutritional blindness and to help reach Millennium goals for reducing under-five child mortality in Ethiopia.

Infant and Child Mortality in Eastern Africa: Causes and Differentials - A Review of the Literature

Infant mortality refers to the death of a child born alive before its first birthday and child mortality is the death of a child aged between one and five years. Demographers have for a long time been interested in the study of mortality which is one of the components of population change. Infant and child mortality are among the best indicators of socio-economic development because a society's life expectancy at birth is determined by the survival chances of infants and children. This paper reviews the literature of infant and child mortality in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, and Tanzania, countries, which, for purposes of this discussion, constitute Eastern Africa. In this part of the world, as many as 200 of every a thousand live born infants die before their first birthdays. Apart from Kenya, all the above mentioned countries have infant mortalities ranging between 100 and 200 deaths per thousand live births. Even though infant and child mortality have declined in the region since the 1960's, they are still unquestionably high and have for various reasons stagnated in their decline.