Risk factors for infant mortality in Iganga District.

Abstract

Uganda has a high infant mortality rate of 76/1000 live births and in Iganga District, it was reported to be 120/1000 live births, which was much higher compared to the national average. OBJECTIVE: Determine factors associated with infant mortality in Iganga district, in order to inform the district health team to design and implement appropriate interventions for improving child survival. METHODOLOGY: A Case control study design based on secondary data of 146 cases and 438 controls from Iganga/Mayuge demographic surveillance site as a first step. Study populations children born from march 2005 to June 2008, mothers/ caregivers in age group of (15-49 years) were the respondents. Cases were children who died before completing one year and controls were surviving children. Secondly, a descriptive studies design was conducted to determine health seeking behaviours of mothers/caregivers, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods. Six focus group discussions among mothers/caregivers and eleven key informant interviews among health workers were conducted. Quantitative data was analysed using STATA 10 while qualitative data a master sheet technique was used. The logisitic model was tested using using Hosmer and Lemshow goodness of fit statistic p<0.75. RESULTS: Factors independently associated with infant mortality included; mothers age below 20 years (OR 2.4, 95%CI: 1.23-4.62) mothers with primary education level (OR 2.6, 95% CI:1.20-5.78), having no mosquito net (OR 2.2, 95%CI:1:27-3.91), Un protected water source (OR 1.3, 95% CI: 1.31-2.98) not owning latrine/toilet, (OR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.5-3.6). Themes that emerged from qualitative included poor health seeking behaviours through self medication at home and delaying to start treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Improving infant survival requires promotion of education and appropriate reproductive health education to young girls to prevent teenage pregnancies and early marriages. Promote hygiene and sanitation, use of mosquito nets and use of water from protected sources.