Infant & Child Mortality in Pakistan and its Determinants: A Review

Abstract

Over the years, several developing countries have been suffering from high infant and child mortality rates, however, according to the recent statistics, Pakistan falls high on the list. Our narrative review of copious research on this topic highlights that several factors, such as complications associated with premature births, high prevalence of birth defects, lack of vaccination, unsafe deliveries, poor breastfeeding practices, complications during delivery, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), poor socioeconomic conditions, and a struggling healthcare system, have influenced these rates. Bearing in mind the urgency of addressing the increased infant and child mortality rate in Pakistan, multiple steps must be taken in order to prevent unnecessary deaths. An effective initiative could be spreading awareness and education among women, as a lack of education among women has been indirectly linked to increased child mortality in Pakistan across many researches conducted on the issue. Furthermore, the government should invest in healthcare by hiring more physicians and providing better supplies and improving infrastructure, especially in underdeveloped areas, to decrease child mortality due to lack of clean water and poor hygiene. Lastly, telemedicine should be made common in order to provide easy access to women who cannot visit the hospital.

Predictors of voluntary uptake of modern contraceptive methods in rural Sindh, Pakistan

“…On the supply side, irregular supply of contraceptive methods, poor attitude and competency of healthcare providers and limited coverage and outreach of family planning services, have been reported as significant factors that negate uptake [ 11 – 13 ]. These low rates of uptake, of any type of contraceptive methods, are dangerously manifested in the country’s high fertility rate of 3.56 births per woman, combined with a maternal mortality rate of 186/100,000 livebirths and under-5 mortality rate of 63.3 deaths/ 1000 live births [ 14 , 15 ]. Besides mortality, concomitantly high rates of early marriages of girls before 18 years of age, unintended pregnancies and resulting abortions, estimated at annual rate of 50 per 1000 women [ 16 ] coupled with socio-cultural and patriarchal barriers, present a concerning picture of the sexual and reproductive health and overall well-being of women and young girls in the country.…”

Effectiveness of Lemongrass Warm Compress Intervention in Pediatric Meningoencephalitis Patients with Signs of Hyperthermia in the Picu Room Rsud Aji Muhammad Parikesit Tenggarong Hospital

“…The incidence of meningitis in children aged 0-4 years reaches 1.6 per 1000 child population. This indicates that meningitis remains a health problem that needs to be treated seriously in Indonesia [8].Based on survey results in 2022 in East Kalimantan, there were 150 cases of meningoencephalitis in children. These cases consisted of 85 cases in boys and 65 cases in girls [9].The majority of cases occur in children aged 1-5 years, followed by children aged 6-10 years and 11-15 years.…”

Spectrum of respiratory distress and outcome in neonates admitted in National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, Pakistan.

“…7,[9][10][11] Global statistics show that Pakistan is among those countries who have the highest burden of neonatal mortality. 12 National Institute of Child Health (NICH), Karachi, Pakistan is a main referral center located in the most populous city of Pakistan. The objectives of this study were to find out the spectrum of respiratory distress and outcome in neonates admitted in NICU of NICH, Karachi, Pakistan.…”