Topographical Differences of Infant Mortality in Nepal.
R Dev1, M F Williams2, A L Fitzpatrick3
1Department of Health Services, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Kathmandu University Medical Journal (KUMJ)
|February 7, 2017
Summary
Infant mortality is higher in Nepal
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Demography
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Infant mortality presents a significant public health challenge in Nepal.
- The mountainous region of Nepal experiences a disproportionately high rate of infant mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key factors contributing to elevated infant mortality rates in Nepal's mountain zone.
- To analyze the association between geographical access to healthcare and infant mortality.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).
- Analyzed infant mortality across three ecological zones (mountain, hill, terai) for 5,306 live births.
- Employed multiple logistic regression to assess risk factor contributions to infant mortality.
Main Results:
- Infant mortality rates were highest in the mountain zone (59 deaths/1000 live births) compared to hill (44) and terai (40) zones.
- Women in the mountain zone reporting distance to care as a 'big problem' faced increased infant mortality risk (OR=1.42).
- Perceived distance to the nearest health facility significantly increased infant mortality risk (aOR=1.57) after controlling for other factors.
Conclusions:
- The study identifies perceived distance to health facilities as a critical factor driving higher infant mortality in Nepal's mountain region.
- Enhancing accessibility to healthcare services in mountainous areas is crucial for reducing overall infant mortality in Nepal.
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