Factors influencing infant mortality in urban Kenya
Abstract
Infant mortality in Kenya varies by type of place of residence. In urban Kenya, it
declined in the mid-1990s but later increased substantially by late 1990s. A decline in
infant mortality was also noted in the early 2000s, however by late 2000s an
unexpected increase was observed..Several gaps have been noted from previous
dichotomous studies, in urban Kenya. Studies have shown inconsistencies on the
effect of infant mortality by various factors such as ; work status, wealth quintile
while birth order and birth spacing . This study sought to establish factors influencing
infant mortality in urban Kenya.
It examined three objectives; the effect of socioeconomic, maternal and
environmental factors on infant mortality in urban Kenya. The study utilized Kenya
Demographic and Health Survey data (KDHS) of 2008/9.Descriptive statistics and
Cox proportional Hazard model were the main methods of data analysis.
Bivariate findings showed that birth order and preceding birth interval were
significantly associated with infant mortality in urban Kenya. The multivariate
analysis indicated that wealth index and birth order were the determinants of infant
mortality in urban Kenya.
The main policy implication is need to roll out The National Urban Development
Policy in all urban areas in Kenya. Future research should focus on undertaking
studies on infant mortality in urban areas using qualitative methods and also factors
influencing infant mortality in different urban settings such as non-slum, slum and
peri-urban.
Citation
Master of arts (Population studies)Publisher
University of Nairobi