scholarly journals Understanding the determinants of infant and under-five mortality rates: a multivariate decomposition analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys in Ghana, 2003, 2008 and 2014

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. e001658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duah Dwomoh ◽  
Susan Amuasi ◽  
Kofi Agyabeng ◽  
Gabriel Incoom ◽  
Yakubu Alhassan ◽  
...  

IntroductionDespite the decline in infant and under-five mortality rates since the last decade, Ghana did not meet the millennium development goal (MDG) 4 target. To implement effective interventions that could fast-track progress towards achieving the sustainable development goal 3 in 2030, factors contributing to the decline in child mortality throughout the MDG period and which factor(s) has/have been consistent in affecting child survival in the last decade need to be understood.MethodsThis study used Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) from 2003, 2008 and 2014 and data from World Bank Development Indicators (2000–2018). We employed modified Poisson with robust SE and multivariate decomposition approach to assess risk factors of child mortality using DHS data from 2003, 2008 and 2014. Penalised regression was used assess the effect of 25 country-level contextual factors on child survival.ResultsThe risk of infant mortality is approximately five times higher among mothers who had multiple births compared with mothers who had single birth over the last decade (adjusted relative risk 4.6, 95% CI 3.2 to 6.6, p<0.001). An increase in the annual percentage of female labour force participation (FLFP) is associated with the reduction of approximately 10 and 18 infant and under-five annual deaths per 1000 live births, respectively.ConclusionsThis study found that multiple births and shorter birth spacing are associated with increased risk of infant and under-five deaths over the last decade. Increased in FLFP, and the proportion of children sleeping under bed-net are associated with reduced risk of both infants and under-five deaths.

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akkur Chandra Das

Background: Childhood mortality and child nutritional status of the developing countries are very much concerning issues of the world. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the situation of childhood mortality and child nutritional status of Bangladesh with the comparative analysis and progress of childhood mortality and child nutritional status from 1993 to 2014. Methodology: In this regard this paper reviews the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys (BDHS) conducted in 1993-94, 1996-97, 1999-2000, 2004, 2007, 2011 and 2014, which were analyzed on infant, child, under-five mortality and child nutritional status in detail. Result: The evidences reflected in BDHSs show that infant, child and under-five mortality in Bangladesh have declined steadily at least over the past years. However, differentials in trends and patterns of childhood mortality and even child nutritional status by the demographic determinants have not been explained elaborately. According to the 1993-1994 and the 2014 surveys found infant mortality two times, child mortality sex times and under-five mortality rates three times declined in 2014 than those were in 1993-94. On the contrary, stunning, wasting and underweight are also declined in 2014 comparatively than the last two decades but it is noted that wasting situation is not gradually declined. Conclusion: Bangladesh successfully declined the total number of childhood mortalities and nutrition related mortalities and complexities. Many non-government and government funded organizations should run some effective programs to overcome the situation completely in Bangladesh.Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research, 2015;2(2):42-46


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justice Moses K. Aheto ◽  
Robert Yankson ◽  
Michael Give Chipeta

Abstract Background Under-five mortality (U5M) rates are among the health indicators of utmost importance globally. It is the goal 3 target 2.1 of the Sustainable Development Goals that is expected to be reduced to at least 25 per 1000 livebirths by 2030. Despite a considerable reduction in U5M observed globally, several countries especially those in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) like Ghana are struggling to meet this target. Evidence-based targeting and utilization of the available limited public health resources are critical for effective design of intervention strategies that will enhance under-five child survival. We aimed to estimate and map U5M risk, with the ultimate goal of identifying communities at high risk where interventions and further research can be targeted. Methods The 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey data was used in this study. Geostatistical analyses were conducted on 5884 children residing in 423 geographical clusters. The outcome variable is child survival status (alive or dead). We employed a geostatistical generalised linear mixed model to investigate both measured and unmeasured child specific and spatial risk factors for child survival. We then visualise child mortality by mapping the predictive probability of survival. Results Of the total sampled under 5 children, 289 (4.91%) experienced the outcome of interest. Children born as multiple births were at increased risk of mortality with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (aOR: 8.2532, 95% CI: [5.2608–12.9477]) compared to singletons. Maternal age increased risk of mortality (aOR: 1.0325, 95% CI: [1.0128–1.0527]). Child’s age (aOR: 0.2277, 95% CI: [0.1870–0.2771]) and number of children under 5 within each household (aOR: 0.3166, 95% CI: [0.2614–0.3835]) were shown to have a protective effect. Additionally, mothers with secondary education level (aOR: 0.6258, 95% CI: [0.4298–0.9114]) decreased the risk of U5M. The predicted U5M risk in 2014 was at 5.98%. Substantial residual spatial variations were observed in U5M. Conclusion The analysis found that multiple births is highly associated with increased U5M in Ghana. The high-resolution maps show areas and communities where interventions and further research for U5M can be prioritised to have health impact.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Akpojene Ogbo ◽  
Osita Kingsley Ezeh ◽  
Akorede O. Awosemo ◽  
Ifegwu K. Ifegwu ◽  
Lawrence Tan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Under-five mortality is still a major health issue in many developing countries like Tanzania. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal target of ending preventable child deaths in Tanzania, a detailed understanding of the risk factors for under-five deaths is essential to guide targeted interventions. This study aimed to investigate trends and determinants of neonatal, post-neonatal, infant, child and under-five mortalities in Tanzania from 2004 to 2016. Methods The study used combined data from the 2004–2005, 2010 and 2015–2016 Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys, with a sample of 25,951 singletons live births and 1585 under-five deaths. We calculated age-specific mortality rates, followed by an assessment of trends and determinants (community, socioeconomic, individual and health service) of neonatal, postneonatal, infant, child and under-five mortalities in Cox regression models. The models adjusted for potential confounders, clustering and sampling weights. Results Between 2004 and 2016, we found that neonatal mortality rate remained unchanged, while postneonatal mortality and child mortality rates have halved in Tanzania. Infant mortality and under-five mortality rates have also declined. Mothers who gave births through caesarean section, younger mothers (< 20 years), mothers who perceived their babies to be small or very small and those with fourth or higher birth rank and a short preceding birth interval (≤2 years) reported higher risk of neonatal, postneonatal and infant mortalities. Conclusion Our study suggests that there was increased survival of children under-5 years in Tanzania driven by significant improvements in postneonatal, infant and child survival rates. However, there remains unfinished work in ending preventable child deaths in Tanzania.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafi Amir-ud-Din ◽  
Lubna Naz ◽  
Anila Rubi ◽  
Muhammad Usman ◽  
Umesh Ghimire

Abstract Background High-risk fertility behaviors (HRFBs) are common in African and South Asian countries and can potentially affect child survival. This study examines the high-risk fertility behaviors concerning child mortality across the countries. Method Data from a series of Demographic and Health Surveys from the year 1987 to 2016 from 24 South Asian and African countries (N=1,224,832) were included in this study. Four HRFB parameters - women’s age <18 or >=34 years at childbirth, birth spacing <24 months, and child order of birth >3, were categorized into three exposure levels: i) exposure to any HRFBs category (exposure to any of four parameters); ii) exposure to single and multiple HRFB category (a combination of two or more parameters); and iii) the specific type of HRFB category (either single or multiple HRFB categories). Bivariate descriptive analysis and a multivariate logistic regression model were used to examine the association between under-five child mortality and various measures of HRFBs. Results Our pooled data analysis reported that HRFBs was associated with an increased risk of under-five child mortality in Asian and African countries. Children of women exposed to HRFBs were at increased risk of under-five mortality by 77% (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.771, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.722 - 1.821). Children born within 24 months’ birth interval were four times more likely to die (AOR = 4.995, 95% CI: 4.842-5.152) than their counterparts. However, a single high-risk category was not associated with under-five mortality, and birth order was found to be a protective factor against under-five mortality. Age of women (<18 or >=34 years) was found to be a risk factor of Under-five child mortality in 16 countries. The association between under-five mortality risk and birth interval of less than 24 months was highly significant in all countries. Conclusion Women’s age at childbirth, birth interval, and birth order were significantly associated with under-five mortality. Quality care for women and newborns need to be ensured through investment in the healthcare system, and by promoting health services with more focus given to the valuable populations through sexual and reproductive health education programs and empowering women.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gebretsadik Shibre ◽  
Betregiorgis Zegeye ◽  
Dina Idriss-Wheeler ◽  
Sanni Yaya

Abstract Background Pneumonia is a leading public health problem in under-five children worldwide and particularly in Africa. Unfortunately, progress in reducing pneumonia related mortality has been slow. The number of children with symptoms of pneumonia taken to health facilities for treatment is low in Ethiopia, and disparities among sub-groups regarding health seeking behavior for pneumonia have not been well explored in the region. This study assessed the trends of inequalities in care seeking behavior for children under five years of age with suspected pneumonia in Ethiopia. Methods Using cross-sectional data from the 2005, 2011 and 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT), this study investigated the inequalities in health seeking behavior for children with suspected pneumonia. Four measures of inequality were calculated: Difference, Ratio, Slope Index of Inequality and Relative Index of Inequality. Results were disaggregated by wealth, education, residence, and sex with computed 95% Uncertainty Intervals for each point estimate to determine significance. Results The percentage of under-five children with symptoms of pneumonia who were taken to a health facility was significantly lower for children in the poorest families, 15.48% (95% UI; 9.77, 23.64) as compared to children in the richest families, 61.72% (95% UI; 45.06, 76.02) in 2011. Substantial absolute (SII = 35.61; 95% UI: 25.31, 45.92) and relative (RII = 4.04%; 95% UI: 2.25, 5.84) economic inequalities were also observed. Both educational and geographic inequalities were observed; (RII = 2.07; 95% UI: 1.08, 3.06) and (D = 28.26; 95% UI: 7.14, 49.37), respectively. Economic inequality decreased from 2011 to 2016. There was no statistically significant difference between male and female under-five children with pneumonia symptoms taken to health facility, in all the studied years. Conclusions Health care seeking behavior for children with pneumonia was lower among the poorest and non-educated families as well as children in rural regions. Policies and strategies need to target subpopulations lagging behind in seeking care for pneumonia treatment as it impedes achievement of key UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafi Amir-ud-Din ◽  
Lubna Naz ◽  
Anila Rubi ◽  
Muhammad Usman ◽  
Umesh Ghimire

Abstract Background: Smaller or older maternal age, smaller inter-pregnancy birth interval, and higher birth order of the child are considered to be high-risk fertility behaviour (HRFB). Under-five mortality being disproportionately concentrated in Asia and Africa, this study analyses the association between HRFB and under-five mortality in selected Asian and African countries. Methods: This study used Integrated Public Microdata Series-Demographic and Health Surveys (IPUMS-DHS) data from 32 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia from 1986 to 2017 (N=1,467,728). Previous evidence hints at four markers of HRFB: women's age at the birth of index child <18 years or >34 years, smaller preceding birth interval (PBI) <24 months, and child's birth order >3. Using logistic regression, we analysed the change in the odds of under-five mortality as a result of i) exposure to HRFB individually, ii) exposure to any single HRFB risk factor, iii) exposure to multiple HRFB risk factors, and iv) exposure to specific combinations of HRFB risk factors. Results: Mother's age at the birth of index child <18 years and preceding birth interval (PBI) <24 months were significant risk factors of under-five mortality, while a child's birth order >3 was a protective factor against under-five mortality. Presence of any single HRFB was associated with 1.067 times higher risk of under-five mortality (OR = 1.067; 95% CI: 1.042 - 1.090; P < 0.001). Presence of multiple HRFBs was associated with 1.392 times higher risk of under-five mortality (OR = 1.392; 95% CI: 1.355 - 1.431; P < 0.001). Some specific combinations of risky fertility behaviour such as younger maternal age (<18 years) and smaller preceding birth interval (PBI <24) significantly increased the odds of under-five mortality.Conclusion: Younger maternal age and small preceding birth interval significantly increase the risk of under-five mortality. This highlights the need for effective legislation to curb child marriages and increased public investment in reproductive healthcare with a focus on higher contraceptive use for an optimal interpregnancy interval.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-408
Author(s):  
M. C. Musa ◽  
O. E. Asiribo ◽  
H. G. Dikko ◽  
M. Usman ◽  
S. S. Sani

An under-five childhood mortality rates in Nigeria is still high, despite efforts of government at all levels to combat the menace. This study examined some factors that significantly affect under-five child mortality. A sample of mothers with children under the age of five from Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data (NDHS, 2013 & 2018) was used to assess the effect of some selected predictor variables (or covariates) on childhood survival. Cox proportional hazards model is essentially a regression model popularly used for investigating the association between the survival time and one or more predictor variables. The results from final fitted Cox proportional hazards regression model that the covariates, contraceptive used by the mother, state of residence, birth weight of child and type of toilet facility used by the h-ousehold were found to be significantly associated with under-five survival in the North Central Region of Nigeria. All the calculations are performed using the R software for statistical analysis.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafi Amir-ud-Din ◽  
Lubna Naz ◽  
Anila Rubi ◽  
Muhammad Usman ◽  
Umesh Ghimire

Abstract Background: Younger or older maternal age, short inter-pregnancy birth interval, and higher birth order of the child are considered to be high-risk fertility behaviour (HRFB). Under-five mortality being disproportionately concentrated in Asia and Africa, this study analyses the association between HRFB and under-five mortality in selected Asian and African countries.Methods: This study used Integrated Public Microdata Series-Demographic and Health Surveys (IPUMS-DHS) data from 32 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia from 1986 to 2017 (N=1,467,728). Previous evidence hints at four markers of HRFB: women’s age at the birth of index child <18 years or >34 years, short preceding birth interval (PBI) <24 months, and child’s birth order >3. Using logistic regression, we analysed the change in the odds of under-five mortality as a result of i) exposure to HRFB individually, ii) exposure to any single HRFB risk factor, iii) exposure to multiple HRFB risk factors, and iv) exposure to specific combinations of HRFB risk factors. Results: Mother’s age at the birth of index child <18 years and preceding birth interval (PBI) <24 months were significant risk factors of under-five mortality, while a child’s birth order >3 was a protective factor against under-five mortality. Presence of any single HRFB was associated with 1.067 times higher risk of under-five mortality (OR = 1.067; 95% CI: 1.042 - 1.090; P < 0.001). Presence of multiple HRFBs was associated with 1.392 times higher risk of under-five mortality (OR = 1.392; 95% CI: 1.355 - 1.431; P < 0.001). Some specific combinations of risky fertility behaviour such as younger maternal age (<18 years) and short preceding birth interval (PBI <24) significantly increased the odds of under-five mortality.Conclusion: Younger maternal age and short preceding birth interval significantly increase the risk of under-five mortality. This highlights the need for effective legislation to curb child marriages and increased public investment in reproductive healthcare with a focus on higher contraceptive use for an optimal interpregnancy interval.


Author(s):  
Pramesh Ghimire ◽  
Kingsley Agho ◽  
Osita Ezeh ◽  
Andre Renzaho ◽  
Michael Dibley ◽  
...  

Child mortality in Nepal has reduced, but the rate is still above the Sustainable Development Goal target of 20 deaths per 1000 live births. This study aimed to identify common factors associated with under-five mortality in Nepal. Survival information of 16,802 most recent singleton live births from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey for the period (2001–2016) were utilized. Survey-based Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine factors associated with under-five mortality. Multivariable analyses revealed the most common factors associated with mortality across all age subgroups included: mothers who reported previous death of a child [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 17.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 11.44, 26.26 for neonatal; aHR 13.05, 95% CI 7.19, 23.67 for post-neonatal; aHR 15.90, 95% CI 11.38, 22.22 for infant; aHR 16.98, 95% CI 6.19, 46.58 for child; and aHR 15.97, 95% CI 11.64, 21.92 for under-five mortality]; nonuse of tetanus toxoids (TT) vaccinations during pregnancy (aHR 2.28, 95% CI 1.68, 3.09 for neonatal; aHR 1.86, 95% CI 1.24, 2.79 for post-neonatal; aHR 2.44, 95% CI 1.89, 3.15 for infant; aHR 2.93, 95% CI 1.51, 5.69 for child; and aHR 2.39, 95% CI 1.89, 3.01 for under-five mortality); and nonuse of contraceptives among mothers (aHR 1.69, 95% CI 1.21, 2.37 for neonatal; aHR 2.69, 95% CI 1.67, 4.32 for post-neonatal; aHR 2.01, 95% CI 1.53, 2.64 for infant; aHR 2.47, 95% CI 1.30, 4.71 for child; and aHR 2.03, 95% CI 1.57, 2.62 for under-five mortality). Family planning intervention as well as promotion of universal coverage of at least two doses of TT vaccine are essential to help achieve child survival Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets of <20 under-five deaths and <12 neonatal deaths per 1000 births by the year 2030.


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