Infant mortality in northeastern Anatolia and associated factors
To explore the causes of infant mortality. Infant mortality is the most important criterion for the evaluation of the sufficiency of mother and child health care and the planning of health care provision. In this study, we investigated infant mortality and associated factors in 7 provinces located in northeastern Turkey. The main outcome of this study was reasons for neonatal mortality. Materials and methods: We created a cross-sectional study and included all babies born in the year 2009 who died during the first 365 days of life. Data were collected from the primary care providers. A data collection form was prepared containing information about the demographic factors, babies, families, causes of mortality, and health facilities. In cases of missing data, an effort was made to contact the baby's mother. Results: Data for 481 babies and their mothers were analyzed. Most of the infant deaths occurred during the early neonatal period. Prematurity and congenital problems constituted 43.6% (n = 210) of the causes of mortality. Mothers' chronic diseases (P = 0.035; OR = 8.2, 95% CI (1.2-58.6)) and the presence of a neonatal specialist in the hospital (P = 0.023; OR = 7.9, 95% CI (1.3-47.4)) were independent factors affecting mortality due to prematurity. Conclusion: Field studies are necessary to determine missed infant deaths. In order to minimize infant mortality, appropriate pregnancy follow-ups ending in deliveries assisted by health professionals, preferably in well-equipped hospitals, are necessary.
Infant mortality in northeastern Anatolia and associated factors
To explore the causes of infant mortality. Infant mortality is the most important criterion for the evaluation of the sufficiency of mother and child health care and the planning of health care provision. In this study, we investigated infant mortality and associated factors in 7 provinces located in northeastern Turkey. The main outcome of this study was reasons for neonatal mortality. Materials and methods: We created a cross-sectional study and included all babies born in the year 2009 who died during the first 365 days of life. Data were collected from the primary care providers. A data collection form was prepared containing information about the demographic factors, babies, families, causes of mortality, and health facilities. In cases of missing data, an effort was made to contact the baby's mother. Results: Data for 481 babies and their mothers were analyzed. Most of the infant deaths occurred during the early neonatal period. Prematurity and congenital problems constituted 43.6% (n = 210) of the causes of mortality. Mothers' chronic diseases (P = 0.035; OR = 8.2, 95% CI (1.2-58.6)) and the presence of a neonatal specialist in the hospital (P = 0.023; OR = 7.9, 95% CI (1.3-47.4)) were independent factors affecting mortality due to prematurity. Conclusion: Field studies are necessary to determine missed infant deaths. In order to minimize infant mortality, appropriate pregnancy follow-ups ending in deliveries assisted by health professionals, preferably in well-equipped hospitals, are necessary.
___
- Randall B, Wilson A, Regional Infant and Child Mortality Review Committee. Th e 2001 annual report of the Regional Infant and Child Mortality Review Committee. SDJ Med 2002; 55: 471-5. 2. Balcı E, Küçük E, Gün I, Gülgün M, Çetinkara K. Kayseri ili Melikgazi ilçesinde 2006 yılında meydana gelen bebek ölümleri (Infant mortality in Kayseri Melikgazi district during 2006). Fırat Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 2008; 22: 323-6.
- Rutstein SO. Factors associated with trends in infant and child mortality in developing countries during the 1990s. Bull World Health Organ 2008; 86: 399-407.
- Mulholland E, Smith L, Garneiro I, Becher H, Lehmann D. Equity and child-survival strategies. Bull World Health Organ 2008; 86: 399-407.
- MacDorman MF, Mathews TJ. Recent trends in infant mortality in United States. NCHS Data Brief 2008; 9: 1-8. 6. Tobias M, Blakeley T, Matheson D, Rasanathan K, Atkinson J. Changing trends in indigenous inequalities in mortality: lessons from New Zealand. Int J Epidemiol 2009; 38: 1711-22.
- Sims M, Sims TL, Bruce MA. Urban poverty and infant mortality rate disparities. J Natl Med Assoc 2007; 99: 349-56. 8. Countdown 2008 Equity Analysis Group, Boerma JT, Bryce J, Kinfu Y, Axelson H, Victora CG. Mind the gap: equity and trends in coverage of maternal, newborn, and child health services in 54 Countdown countries. Lancet 2008; 371: 1259- 67. 9. Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies. Turkey Demographic and Health Survey TDHS-2008. Ankara: Hacettepe University; 2008.
- Turkish Statistical Institute. İstatistiki bölge birimleri sınıfl andırması (Statistical area units classifi cation). 2010 [accessed 30 July 2010]. Available from: URL: http:// tuikapp.tuik.gov.tr/DIESS/SiniflamaSurumDetayAction. do?surumId=164.
- Turkish Republic Prime Ministry State Planning Organization. İstatistiki bölge birimleri sınıfl andırması düzeylere göre sosyo-ekonomik gelişmişlik sıralaması 2003 (Socioeconomic development classifi cation according to statistical areas 2003). 2010 [accessed 30 July 2010]. Available from: URL: http://www.dpt.gov.tr/bgyu/seg/duzey12003. html.
- Alp H, Altinkaynak S, Arikan D, Ozyazicioglu N. Adolescent immunization rates and the eff ect of socio-demographic factors on immunization in a cosmopolitan city (ERZURUM) in the eastern Turkey. Health Policy 2006; 76: 179-85.
- Suwal JV. Th e main determinants of infant mortality in Nepal. Soc Sci Med 2001; 53: 1667-81.
- Khoury SA, Massad DF. Consanguinity, fertility, reproductive wastage, infant mortality and congenital malformations in Jordan. Saudi Med J 2000; 21: 150-4.
- Chan MF, Ng WI, Van IK. Socioeconomic instability and the availability of health resources: their eff ects on infant mortality rates in Macau from 1957-2006. J Clin Nurs 2010; 19: 884-91.
- Turkish Ministry of Health. Sağlık Bakanlığı atama ve nakil yönetmeliği (Ministry of Health by-law for posting and transfer). 2010 [accessed 15 August 2010]..Available from: URL: http://personel.saglik.gov.tr/UserFiles/File/Mevzuat/ Yonetmelikler/SB_Atama_ve_Nakil_Yonetmeligi.pdf.
- Okyay P, Atasoylu G, Meteoğlu D, Demiröz H, Çobanoğlu M, Beser E. Infant deaths and stillbirths in Aydın Province in 2004. Journal of Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty 2006; 7: 3-12.
- Demirel Y, Arslan S, Turan C, Alparslan Ö, Toktamış A. Recognition of cigarette logos by primary school children. Türkiye Klinikleri J Cardiovasc Sci 2010; 22: 25-33.