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.