Under 5 Child Mortality in the Maghreb countries.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Demography
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Child mortality is a critical indicator of population health, especially in younger age groups.
• Understanding trends in under-five mortality is essential for global health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze under-five child mortality trends in the Great Maghreb region from 1994 to 2019.
• To identify key factors contributing to under-five mortality in this region.

Main Methods:

• An observational descriptive study was conducted.
• Data on under-five mortality rates and causes were sourced from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) database.
• The study period spanned three decades (1990-2019).

Main Results:

• A notable decrease in under-five mortality rates was observed across all Maghreb countries for both sexes.
• Mauritania and Morocco reported the highest numbers of deaths.
• Under-five mortality was higher in boys, with infants under one year being the most affected group.
• Infectious diseases were the primary cause of under-five mortality in Mauritania, similar to sub-Saharan African countries.

Conclusions:

• Significant progress has been made in reducing under-five child mortality in the Maghreb.
• Further interventions are necessary to enhance child health outcomes in the region.
• Addressing infectious diseases remains a priority, particularly in countries like Mauritania.