Factors affecting infant mortality in Uganda
Abstract
This study is entitled factors affecting infant mortality in Uganda. The study had the following
objectives, to establish the influence of poverty on infant mortality rate, to establish the
relationship between mother’s age at birth and infant mortality rate, to find out the relationship
between education and infant mortality and finally to find out the association between mother’s
employment status and infant mortality. It is a correlational research design which used secondary
data of UDHS 2016 where over 18,000 respondents were interviewed.
The study revealed that the level of education attainment of both parents was significant in
influencing infant mortality in Uganda among the socioeconomic factors. This is where it was
shown that completing secondary and higher education levels significantly reduced the likelihood
of infant mortality. Employment status did not affect infant mortality in Uganda. The results
confirmed that age was significant in influencing infant mortality among women, where the study
revealed that the younger women were found to have less infant mortality cases as compared to
the older women. Furthermore, the study brought to light that as women grew, their levels of infant
mortality increased as well especially among women between 40 – 49 years. Women’s marital
status affected infant mortality among women in Uganda. Region of origin of respondents and
wealth index were also found to be significant in influencing infant mortality.
The government and its development partners should ensure universal access to education beyond
the primary and secondary level and sensitize communities about the importance of sending all
their children particularly girls to school. This will reduce early marriages and empower mothers
with both knowledge and means to give quality care to their children which will in turn reduce the
infant mortality rate.