Factors affecting infant mortality in the general population: evidence from the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey (EDHS); a multilevel analysis

Adhanom Gebreegziabher Baraki; Temesgen Yihunie Akalu; Haileab Fekadu Wolde; Ayenew Molla Lakew; Kedir Abdela Gonete

doi:10.1186/s12884-020-03002-x

Factors affecting infant mortality in the general population: evidence from the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey (EDHS); a multilevel analysis

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2020 May 15;20(1):299. doi: 10.1186/s12884-020-03002-x.

Authors

Adhanom Gebreegziabher Baraki¹, Temesgen Yihunie Akalu², Haileab Fekadu Wolde², Ayenew Molla Lakew², Kedir Abdela Gonete³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Gondar, Ethiopia. adsh04@gmail.com.
² Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Gondar, Ethiopia.
³ Department of Human Nutrition, University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: 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. 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.

Methods: A 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.

Results: A 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.

Conclusion: The 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.

Keywords: Ethiopia; Infant mortality; Risk factors.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Ethiopia / epidemiology
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Infant
Infant Mortality*
Infant, Newborn
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Multilevel Analysis
Odds Ratio
Poverty
Pregnancy
Risk Factors
Rural Population
Socioeconomic Factors
Young Adult