Determinants of Infant Mortality: a Comparative Study of Kenya and Rwanda.

Abstract

The current surveys recorded high infant mortality in North Province of Rwanda where, in 2005, the highest infant mortality levels were recorded in the East province. In Kenya, urban areas recorded highest infant mortality than rural areas. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish the determinants of infant mortality in Kenya and Rwanda. The study used descriptive statistics and Cox regression analysis. The results obtained indicated significant differentials in infant mortality according to study variables in both countries. The results of multivariate analysis using Cox regression indicated that, household wealth index, maternal age, preceding birth interval, source of drinking water were significantly associated to infant mortality in Kenya. In Rwanda the results indicated that mother's work status, maternal age, and preceding birth interval were the statistically significant determinants of infant mortality. The study further found that infant mortality risk was higher, though insignificant, in urban areas of Kenya and Rwanda. While majority of the variables showed hypothetically expected results, in both countries, households with piped water were likely to report higher risk of infant mortality in Kenya. This finding was not in expected direction. The study used Cox regression and confirmed the findings of other scholars like Kibet (2010), Omedi (2011), Mustafa and Odimwengu (2008).