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 post-neonatal 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.