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Family and community factors associated with infant deaths that might be preventable
Insights
Adverse social factors were linked to infant deaths from treatable infections. These factors, often tied to economic status, were more prevalent in families of infants who died from infections compared to other causes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Social Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Infant mortality remains a significant public health concern.
- Understanding the psychosocial determinants of infant death is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous studies have explored various risk factors, but the interplay of social factors and specific causes of infant death requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between adverse social and family factors and infant mortality.
- To compare the prevalence of these factors among infants who died from different causes and a control group.
- To identify specific psychosocial risk factors contributing to infant deaths, particularly those from potentially treatable conditions.
Main Methods:
- A detailed psychosocial study was conducted on all infant deaths (8 days to 2 years) in Sheffield over two years.
- A matched control group of living children was assessed using identical criteria.
- Sixty-five deceased infants and 102 controls were evaluated for 13 adverse social and family factors, with deaths classified by cause.
Main Results:
- Families of infants who died from potentially treatable diseases (infections, treatable cot deaths) exhibited a significantly higher number of adverse social factors.
- This association was more pronounced compared to families of infants who died from conditions with a poor prognosis or unexplained cot deaths.
- The identified adverse factors, while often related to economic status, appeared independent of social class.
Conclusions:
- Adverse social and family factors are significantly associated with infant deaths, particularly those resulting from treatable infections.
- These findings highlight the importance of addressing psychosocial determinants in preventing infant mortality.
- Interventions targeting social and economic vulnerabilities may be effective in reducing deaths from treatable infant conditions.
Abstract:
A detailed psychosocial study was made of all deaths in babies aged between 8 days and 2 years in Sheffield over two years. An identical assessment was made of a group of control children matched for age. Sixty five children who died and 102 controls were studied. Each index and control child was assessed for 13 potentially adverse social and family factors. The deaths were classified into causal groups. The families of children who died during the course of potentially treatable diseases (those with infections and those who presented as cot deaths but had treatable infection) had a significantly greater number of adverse social factors than the families of children who died from conditions with a poor prognosis, children who presented as completely unexplained cot deaths, and controls. The adverse factors studied, although often related to economic state, appeared to be independent of social class.