Sudhir
BACKGROUND
Infant mortality is due to interaction of several factors in combination. The sociocultural factors plays a major role in infant mortality.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Design- Non-interventional, hospital-based, longitudinal study.
Setting- Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Paediatric Department of S.K.M.C.H., Muzaffarpur, over a period of February 1, 2016, to January 31, 2017.
Participant- Infants born and/or admitted in S.K.M.C.H., Muzaffarpur.
Sampling Technique and Sample Size- Simple random sampling method was used to select 275 samples for study.
Statistical Analysis- Percentage, proportion, Chi-square test were performed.
RESULTS
Among 275 selected infants, mortality was highest 71 (56.8%) when the maternal age of delivery was <18 years. There was more significant statistical association (P<0.05) between age of delivery and infant mortality. Infant mortality was highest 78 (62.4%), whose mother had visited once for A.N.C. and infant mortality was lowest 10 (8%) who had received more than 3 A.N.C. statistical association was more significant (P<0.05) between A.N.C. and infant mortality. Infant mortality was highest 79 (63.2%) in illiterate mother and lowest 5 (4%) among higher secondary and above educated mother and it also indicated more significant statistical association (P<0.05). Infant mortality was highest 68 (54.4%) in schedule caste and lowest 60 (12.8%) in general class. It was also statistically significant (P<0.05). Infant mortality was highest 83 (66.4%) in Hindus and lowest 6 (4.8%) in others and indicated more significant statistical association. Infant mortality was highest 77 (61.6%) when delivery conducted by untrained birth attendant and it was lowest 3 (2.4%) when doctor was assisted. It also indicated more significant statistical association (P<0.05). Infant mortality was lowest 25 (20%) in exclusive breastfed infants and highest 56 (44.8%) in formula fed infants and it was highly significant statistical association (P=0.0001). Infant mortality was comparatively high 78 (62%) in smoking mother than infant of non-smoking mother had 47 (38%) and it was highly significant statistical association.
CONCLUSION
In this study it was seen that the sociocultural factors were the major determinant risk factors for infant mortality.Among these,maternal smoking habit was the commonest factor followed by feeding practice, delivery practice, A.N.C., education, religion, caste and age of delivery. Higher incidence of these contributing factors illustrates the government and other health providers to strengthen the surveillance of infant morbidity and mortality and make strategies for prevention, control and reduction of infant morbidity and mortality.
