Trends and Differentials in Infant Death in Ghana, 1988-2014

Abstract

Infant mortality has declined globally, however, sub-Saharan Africa still experiences high rate of infant deaths. Despite efforts made to reduce infant mortality in Ghana, the rate is still high. This study examines the trends and differentials in infant deaths in Ghana using the six successive Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (GDHS). The general objective is to examine the trends and differentials in infant deaths in Ghana from 1988-2014 using 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2014 GDHS data set to establish the relationships between mothers’ background characteristics and infant mortality in Ghana over time. The study hypothesised that children born to mothers whose source of water is improved are less likely to die before age one compared to those with unimproved source. The chi square test was used to examine the statistical association between socio-economic, demographic and environmental factors of mothers and infant deaths. To test the robustness of the statistical associations, a binary logistic regression was employed to examine predictors of infant deaths using the 2014 GDHS. The results showed a continuous decline in infant deaths over the period between 1988 and 2014 and variations in the significant factors affecting infant deaths over the period. Four variables; region of residence, ethnicity, type of toilet facility and birth order showed statistically significant association with infant deaths in 2014. After running the regression model, ethnicity and birth order emerged as the significant factors of infant mortality making the study not an exceptional one, as other studies have come out with similar findings. The study recommends ethnic centered education on factors affecting infant deaths and intensification of family planning campaigns especially in the rural areas so as to reduce infant deaths in Ghana.