The factors associated with under-five mortality in Ethiopia

Under-five mortality refers to the likelihood of dying between the ages of birth and five. The number of children under the age of five who die each year continues to climb worldwide. Over the previous few decades, the industry has made great progress in reducing mortality among children under the age of five. The study aims to identify the factors associated with under-five mortality in Ethiopia.

Community-based Cross-sectional data came from Ethiopia's Mini Demographic and Health Survey 2019. In two stages, the 2019 EMDHS sample was stratified and selected. 8855 women of reproductive age were interviewed using a nationally representative Woman (ages 15 to 49) and 5753 children were included. Ethiopia's under-five mortality served as the study's dependent (response) or outcome variable. Binary logistic regression was used to see if there is an association between the dependent and independent variables. All variables with a p-value of less than 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were chosen for the multivariable logistic regression to compensate for putative confounders. Significant predictors were defined as factors with a p-value of less than 0.05.

A total of 5753 under-5 mortality were enrolled in this study. 339 (5.9%) of under-five Mortality have been declared lifeless before reaching the age of five. There were 1328(23.1%) and 4425(76.1%) with 72 (5.42%) and 267 (6.02%) of under-five mortality occurring in urban and rural respectively. Under-five mortality in the Afar region was 2.280 times more likely Compared to Children born in Tigray Region (AOR = 2.280 95% CI = 1.137-4.568, P = .020). Under-five Mortality in Rural residences was 1.908 times more likely as Compared to Urban Residence (AOR = 1.908, 95% CI = 1.257-4.539, P = .035). Under-five mortality in Poorer index Households was 0.343 times Less likely as compared to children born in the poorest index Household (AOR = 0.343,95% CI = 0.128-0.910, P = ). Under-five mortality in the public sector was 1.763 times less likely than among children born at Home (AOR = 1.763, 95% CI = 1.252-2.482, P = .033). Under-five Mortality of second multiple births was 2.389 times more likely Compared to Single birth (AOR = 2.389, 95% CI = 1.257-4.539, P = .008).

This study found that the prevalence of under-five mortality, is 5.9% (59/1000) or 59 death per one thousand live children in Ethiopia. The under-five mortality rate is rapidly declining, and access to and utilization of health care is improving. Region, residence, level of education, wealth index, Place of Delivery and multiple births have all been statistically significant factors of under-five mortality in Ethiopia. The government and all stockholders should be given attention to maternal and infant health care to reduce under-five mortality.