Correlates of infant mortality in Benshangul-Gumuz regional State, Ethiopia

Background

Infant mortality is one of the commonest health-related indicators that are used to assess the health status of the society of a nation. Despite the decline in global infant mortality rate, the rate of decline in low-and middle-income countries including Ethiopia is below the rate expected to attain Sustainable Development Goal targets. Benshangul-Gumuz regional state is among the regions in Ethiopia with high infant mortality rate. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the infant mortality rate and identifying risk factors associated with the infant mortality in Benshangul-Gumuz regional state, Ethiopia.

Methods

This study used data drawn from 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey (2019 EMDHS). Multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors associated with infant mortality.

Results

A total of 530 live births were included in this study. The infant mortality rate in this study was 81 (95% CI: 59, 108) per 1000 live births. Females (AOR: 0.690, 95% CI: 0.342, 0.899), multiple births (AOR: 3.067, 95% CI: 2.313, 10.139), mothers with secondary and higher education (AOR: 0.460, 95% CI: 0.287, 0.885), mothers aged 34 years and older (AOR: 1.539, 95% CI: 1.183, 9.802), mothers having ANC visits (AOR: 0.597, 95% CI: 0.326, 0.709) and health institution delivery (AOR: 0.611, 95% CI: 0.0.294, 0.0.899) were significant risk factors associated with infant mortality.

Conclusion

Factors sex of child, type of birth, maternal educational status, age of mother, ANC visits and place of delivery were found to be correlates of infant mortality in Benshangul-Gumuz regional state, Ethiopia. Thus, enhancing mothers to have the ANC follow up during pregnancy and deliver at health institution is recommended in the region.