Infant and Child Mortality in Wad-medani Children

Infants and child under-five years' morbidity and mortality trends, due to several causes, reflect a country level of socioeconomic development and quality of life. The aim of this study is to identify the factors related to infant~ and child mortality in Wad-Medani Children Teaching Hospital in central Sudan. It investigated the relationship between the demographic and socioeconomic factors and infant and child mortality. Hospital deaths registration records in Wad-Medani Children Teaching Hospital, during the years (2005 2008) were used, 100 cases were chosen randomly. The study also utilized data collected by filling a structured questionnaire addressed to 200 ·women in their reproductive age (15 -49 years) attending the out-patient clinic. Frequency distributions and statistical significant tests based on chi-square for independence were conducted using SPSS program. The infant and under-five mortality rate was estimated at 73 and 60 per 1000 live births respectively. The most significant variables that determine the infant and child mortality were preceding birth interval, child immunization and education of mothers. The infant and under-five mortality rate are still persistently high and demographic and socio-economic factors have a great influence on the health status of children in central Sudan. The government should give more attention to improve the immunization services and concentrate on · healtn education campaigns for mothers to reduce the prevalence of under five mortality.