Child and maternal factors associated with childhood mortality in South Sudan

Abstract

Childhood mortality is a public health concern in developing countries. The main objective of undertaking this research was to examine association between child and maternal factors and childhood mortality in South Sudan. The analysis was based on a sample of 13,590 children (0-59 months) from the South Sudan Household Survey (SHHS). The Pearson Chi-square test and a Binary logistic model were used to test the significance for child survival. The study has found childhood mortality rate is estimated at 78.8 death per 1000 live births. Multivariate results show that significant variations by survival status of children. Female children had reduced odd (OR=0.80; 95% CI=0.73-0.88) of dying compared to the male. Children born as multiple births had higher odds (OR=1.81; 95% CI=1.49-2.20) of experiencing death up to fifth birthday compared to children born single. . Children born to mothers aged 45-49 had increased odds of not to surviving before their fifth birthday (OR=2.51; 95% CI=1.63-3.86) compared to children born to mothers aged between 25 and 29 years. Children born to mothers with primary education level were at increased odds of death up to fifth birthday compared to the children born of mothers with secondary and above education (OR=1.29: 95% CI=1.03-1.62). Children who were not immunised had increased odds of dying before their fifth birthday compared to children who were immunised (OR=1.47; 95% CI=1.33-1.61). The odds of dying for child born in a household that used unprotected water was higher than for children in the household using protected water sources for drinking (OR=1.21: 95% CI=1.10-1.33). Children living in the household using wood were at increased odds of not surviving (OR=1.15: 95% CI=0.79-0.99) as compared to children from household using electricity/Gas/Biogas. Also, children in households that used wood floor had reduced odds (OR=0.75, 95% CI=0.65-0.88) of dying before their fifth birthday compared to children in households using earth/Sand/dung floor In conclusion, mothers having primary or less education were associated with increased risks of child mortality, other factors remaining constant. There is need for the Ministry of education and other development partners to increase girl child school enrolment and completion rates both at primary and post primary levels and design a deliberate adult literacy programme for out of school women to reduce risk of childhood mortality as result of less education. Also, there is urgent need for the government of South Sudan to increase the uptake and coverage of immunisation programmes in order to reduce child mortality related to diseases that can be immunised.