The effect of distance covered to the nearby medical facility on the death of infants in rural and urban areas of Kakamega Central Sub-County, Kakamega County, Kenya

Abstract

Purpose of the study: At the backdrop of the third sustainable development goal, Kenya’s infant mortality rate is 36 while that of Kakamega is 37. This study assessed the effect of distance covered to the nearby medical facility on the death of infants in rural and urban areas of Kakamega Central Sub-County, Kakamega County, Kenya. Data and Methods: A cross-sectional research design was employed to collect data from a sample of women population within childbearing ages of 15 to 49 years in Kakamega Central Sub-County. Analyses were done on the Statistical Package for Social Sciences computer program at descriptive and inferential levels. Results: Straight-line distance covered to the nearby medical facility was significantly related to urban neonatal mortality. A straight-line distance of 1.1 to 3.9 kilometres from one’s residence to the nearby medical facility had a 1.127 higher likelihood of neonatal mortality in comparison to an at most 1 kilometre straight-line distance. Further, an increase in travel-time was associated with an increase in the likelihood of infant mortality. The adjusted odds ratios of infant mortality increased by 167.2 percent and 643.6 percent for a 30 minutes’ and 60 minutes’ increase in travel time in urban and rural areas, respectively. Conclusion: Straight-line distance influenced infant mortality in urban areas but not rural areas. Travel-time influenced both rural and urban infant mortalities. There is need observe equitable geospatial distribution of medical facilities and proper equipment of the same in Kakamega Central Sub-County in order to observe the acceptable density of medical facilities in correspondence with the population.