Determinants of infant mortality in Kisarawe district,Tanzania
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Date
2014
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study was conducted in Kisarawe District, being one of the Districts in Tanzania
facing infant mortality (IM). The overall objective of this study was to investigate factors
that determine infant mortality in the study area. The specific objectives were to describe
neonatal mortality and postnatal mortality; to identify socio-economic factors which
influence infant mortality; and to explore the demographic factors which influence infant
mortality. A cross-sectional research design was applied in this study. A representative
sample of 102 respondents was drawn from the sampling frame. Data from the
questionnaires were analyzed statistically using statistical packages for social science
(SPSS) and statistical test were done using the chi-squire to test the significant difference
between the strata. The study revealed that (30.4%) of the respondents experienced IM,
there were 33 incidences and (60.6%) of all incidences occurred at moment of delivery.
Breastfeeding and place of delivery (p<0.05) were identified to be the main determinant of
infant mortality. Weaknesses were as follows,(75.5%) were primary leavers; (10.8%)
earned only 30000 Tsh a month; (68.6%) were not satisfied with medical services
provided;(65.6%) gave birth below the age of 20; Traditional midwives are still in demand
for (10.8%), all these are circumstances for IM. Yellow fever has been contributing
(40.2%) of all death incidences. The study recommends that, the government should
improve medical services; NGOs to invest in education and income generating activities;
Mothers to seek medical help and attend clinic. Further research should be encouraged in
the study area notably on yellow fever and neo-natal mortality which are generally high.
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Thesis
Keywords
Infant mortality, Neonatal mortality, Postnatal mortality