Burden and Determinants of Child Mortality in Somalia analysis of SDHS 2020

Abstract

Child mortality remains a significant public health burden in Somalia. There are many contributing factors for child mortality which varies across contexts. Limited UNICEF studies done in Somalia addressing level of child mortality in some part of country. Thus, this study investigates country wide prevalence of child mortality and important determinants of maternal and child characteristics using data from 2020 Somali Demographic and Health Survey (SDHS). Stata version 16 with command of Prop49, 037 survivors (size) 3,161(outcome), exact (95%CI) was used to estimate the prevalence of child mortality rate using data extracted from SDHS, 2020. Binary logistic regression model is used to analyze the determinants of child mortality in Somalia after cleaning. Variables with P-values less 0.05 with 95% confidence intervals (C.I.) and Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) vary from 1 were reported as determinants. Study shows prevalence of child mortality in Somalia of 65 per 1000 live births. Whereas no maternal visit to a health facilities in the previous 12 months, living in rural settings, short preceding and succeeding birth intervals, and multiple births were significantly increasing the odds of child mortality in Somalia respectively: (AOR = 1.57(0.97, 2.53), (AOR = 2.034, 95% CI: 1.15–3.61), 0.49(0.26, 0.94) and (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.29–0.66), and (AOR = 4.35, 95% CI: 1.919–23.73). Prevalence of child mortality is critical burden in Somalia and this highlights poor situation of health care delivery. All identified risk factors are preventable by just improving maternal and child health access and quality of care. Improving key maternal and child health interventions including family planning service with due emphasis given on rural/nomad areas are critical measures for improving child survival in the country.