Determinants of under-five mortality in Eastern Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the determinants of under-five mortality rate (U5MR) in eastern Uganda. The objectives of the study were; 1) to examine the relationship between the demographic factors and U5MR, 2) to explore the relationship between economic factors and U5MR and, 3) to identify the relationship between household related factors and U5MR. The study found out that age (=46.913, df=6, P=0.000), sex of the child (=12.819, df=1, P=0.000) and education ( =13.994a, df=4, P=0.007) are the significant demographic variables determining under five mortality rate. Types of earning (=6.526a, df=4, P=0.045) and literacy level ( =50.618a, df=3, P=0.000) are the only significant economic factors influencing under five mortality rate in eastern Uganda. Finally sleeping under mosquito net (P=0.030) and health insurance (P=0.039) are the only household factor influencing under five mortality rate in eastern Uganda. The study concluded that age, sex of the child and education level of the household head are the demographic factors that significantly influenced U5MR in eastern Uganda. Then literacy and type of earning from the occupation held significantly influences U5MR in eastern Uganda and finally Health insurance and possession of mosquito net were significantly related to U5MR in eastern Uganda