Gender Differentials and Disease-Specific Cause of Infant Mortality: A Case Study in an Urban Hospital in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Infant mortality is a major public health problem especially in developing countries. It is an indicator of quality of and accessibility to primary healthcare as well as the overall health status of a country. Understanding the risk factors for infant mortality is the first important step to reducing its incidence/prevalence. This study examined the prevalence and disease-specific causes of infant mortality in an urban hospital in Ghana and gender differences in the burden of infant mortality. Births and deaths data at the hospital were reviewed and analyzed. Results indicated infant mortality of 32/1000 live births and highlighted malaria, severe anemia, and neonatal sepsis as the leading causes of infant deaths. Gender differences in infant mortality was not statistically significant (X2; P-value=0.73). It is critical to strengthen existing malaria control programs for infants and develop targeted interventions to improve infant nutrition for high risk infants. (Afr J Reprod Health 2016; 20[2]: 104-110).Keywords: Infant, mortality, Ghana, malaria, gender RésuméLa mortalité infantile est un problème majeur de santé publique surtout dans les pays en développement. Il est un indicateur de la qualité et de l'accessibilité aux soins de santé primaires ainsi que l'état général de santé d'un pays. Comprendre les facteurs de risque pour la mortalité infantile est la première étape importante à réduire son incidence / sa prévalence. Cette étude a examiné les causes de la prévalence et des maladies spécifiques de la mortalité infantile dans un hôpital urbain au Ghana et les différences entre les sexes dans le fardeau de la mortalité infantile. Les données sur les naissances et les décès à l'hôpital ont été examinées et analysées. Les résultats ont montré une mortalité infantile de 32/1000 naissances vivantes et ont mis en évidence le paludisme, l'anémie sévère, et la septicémie néonatale comme étant les principales causes de la mortalité infantile. Les différences entre les sexes dans la mortalité infantile n'a pas été statistiquement significative (X2; valeur P = 0,73). Il est essentiel de renforcer les programmes de lutte contre le paludisme qui existent actuellement pour les enfants et d'élaborer des interventions ciblées pour améliorer la nutrition pour les enfants à risque élevé. (Afr J Reprod Health 2016; 20[2]: 104-110). Mots-clés:Infantile, la mortalité, le Ghana, le paludisme, le sexe.

Investigation of Factors Influencing Infant Mortality at Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ghana

“…Table 1 's assessment of the association between demographic characteristics and diagnosis of death reveals that sex, marital status, and mother's age exhibit no significant association with the cause of a child's death, disagreeing with most studies conducted on a national scale [ 14 ]. However, sex, which was not significant in the diagnosis of death, agrees with Adam's [ 15 ] study conducted at 37 Military Hospital Ghana. Furthermore, the age of the child, birth type, and weight at birth were associated with the diagnosis of death, agreeing with other studies conducted in teaching hospitals in Ghana [ 11 , 16 ].…”

“…The study's findings underscored acute respiratory distress as a prominent cause of death among under-five children, followed by premature births and sepsis, which is in agreement with the global burden of diseases [ 6 ] and other hospital-based studies [ 11 , 15 , 16 ]. Supporting these findings, a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Wong et al [ 17 ] revealed a 24% overall mortality rate in pediatrics related to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).…”