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CSU 11/2010: RWANDA'S DECLINES IN UNDER-FIVE MORTALITY

Friday, 29th of January 2010 Print
CSU 11/2010: RWANDA'S DECLINES IN UNDER-FIVE MORTALITY
 
Rwanda's declines in infant and under-five mortality are the envy of neighboring countries. How did she do it? Here is one explanation, based on analysis of successive demographic and health surveys. Summary is below; full text is at http://www.measuredhs.com/pubs/pdf/FA66/FA66.pdf
 
From the summary:
 
'The main improvements have been increase in delivery assisted by a health professional, mother's use of contraceptive methods, and household possession of a mosquito net between 2005 and 2007-08, followed by a decline in short birth interval (<24 months), increase in antenatal care by a health professional and full immunization of children.'
 
Am I correct in believing that no country is on track for MDG 4 which has not succeeded in lengthening birth intervals?
 
Good reading.
 
BD
 
ABSTRACT

Infant mortality rates (IMR) and under-five mortality rates (U5MR) are sensitive indicators of population and child health; and under-five mortality is one of the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs). IMR and U5MR have declined globally, but the degree of progress varies from country to country. Rwanda is a country where there is evidence of substantial decline in childhood mortality. This study analyzes the effects of several socio-demographic characteristics of children, mothers and households, as well as health and health care indicators on childhood mortality in Rwanda using data from the Rwanda Demographic and Health Surveys implemented in 1992, 2000, 2005, and 2007-08. The data are analyzed using synthetic cohort life tables and survival analysis methods.

The results show that infant and under-five mortality in Rwanda declined significantly in the past eight years, particularly from 2005 to 2007-08. This decline is likely the result of improvement in health and health care during that period. The main improvements have been increase in delivery assisted by a health professional, mother's use of contraceptive methods, and household possession of a mosquito net between 2005 and 2007-08, followed by a decline in short birth interval (<24 months), increase in antenatal care by a health professional and full immunization of children. Nonetheless, the decline in secondary education of mothers, increase in rural population, and increase in multiple births have offset some improvement in childhood mortality.

The analysis shows that multiplicity of birth, birth interval, antenatal care by a health professional, delivery by a health care professional, full immunization of children, mother's education, and urban/rural residence account for 52 percent of the overall decline in infant mortality between 2005 and 2007-08. During the same period, multiplicity of birth, birth interval, antenatal care by a health professional, delivery by a health care professional, full immunization of children, mother's education, mother's use of contraception, and household possession of a mosquito net account for 97 percent of the overall decline in under-five mortality. It is evident from this analysis that full immunization, contraceptive use, mosquito net distribution and professional health assistance at delivery should continue to be increased.


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