Regional variation in neonatal and post-neonatal mortality in Kenya

Abstract

This paper seeks to establish the effect of region of residence on neonatal and post-neonatal mortality in Kenya, using the 2003 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey data. The results show significant regional variation in neonatal and post-neonatal mortality. Both neonatal and post-neonatal mortality were also found to vary significantly according to household wealth status, household water supply, and toilet facility, maternal age at birth, preceding birth interval; antenatal visits and type of place of delivery. It was only postneonatal mortality that also varied significantly according to maternal education. The study recommends that concerted efforts be made to reduce high neonatal and post-neonatal mortality in the high mortality areas. These could entail strengthening existing family planning, child survival and HIV/ AIDS programmes alongside improving households' access to piped water supply and household hygiene practices.