Factors influencing infant mortality in urban Kenya

Abstract

Infant mortality in Kenya varies by type of place of residence. In urban Kenya, it declined in the mid-1990s but later increased substantially by late 1990s. A decline in infant mortality was also noted in the early 2000s, however by late 2000s an unexpected increase was observed..Several gaps have been noted from previous dichotomous studies, in urban Kenya. Studies have shown inconsistencies on the effect of infant mortality by various factors such as ; work status, wealth quintile while birth order and birth spacing . This study sought to establish factors influencing infant mortality in urban Kenya. It examined three objectives; the effect of socioeconomic, maternal and environmental factors on infant mortality in urban Kenya. The study utilized Kenya Demographic and Health Survey data (KDHS) of 2008/9.Descriptive statistics and Cox proportional Hazard model were the main methods of data analysis. Bivariate findings showed that birth order and preceding birth interval were significantly associated with infant mortality in urban Kenya. The multivariate analysis indicated that wealth index and birth order were the determinants of infant mortality in urban Kenya. The main policy implication is need to roll out The National Urban Development Policy in all urban areas in Kenya. Future research should focus on undertaking studies on infant mortality in urban areas using qualitative methods and also factors influencing infant mortality in different urban settings such as non-slum, slum and peri-urban.