[20 - Year period [1990-2009] of infant mortality Rate in rural area of Fars province south lran: a time-series study]

ABSTRACT

Reforming and providing primary health care services in the past two decades had a wonderful impact on health indicators, particularly in rural communities. Infant Mortality Rate [IMR] always regarded as an important indicator of health system. This study conducted to show the twenty-year IMR tend and its relationship with some of socio-economic indicators in Fars province, south of lran, during 1990 -2009. In this time-series study, using ecological data from vital horoscope and also regression model, we showed trend of IMR and also affecting some health and non-health indicators on twenty-year IMR trend. P value under 0.05 was considered as significant level. During this 20-years period IMR had a downward trend from 31.5 to 16.2 in 1000 live births [p<0.001]. There is a significant relation [p<0.05] exist between IMR and predictive variables such as Gross Domestic Product [GDP], literacy of women above 15 and rate of deliveries in hospital, and IMR. Decreasing and improving IMR during the past two- decades period showed that the government health policy and investment had achieved a successful result. However, with promotion and renewing primary health cares, we can improve IMR and other health indicators than before.