Level of maternal education is a significant determinant of neonatal survival: a PEARL study analysis

ABSTRACT

The study analyzed the demographic and socio-economic determinants of neonatal mortality. The variables included one fetal variable [gender], three maternal variables [level of education, occupation, age], three paternal variables [level of education, occupation, age], and seven household [family] variables [nationality, consanguinity, family income, house ownership, type of housing, family type, domestic help]. One calendar year data [January to December 2011] was extracted from Qatar's National Perinatal Registry and analyzed using a univariate regression model. Qatar had a total of 20,583 live births and 102 neonatal deaths during 2011 [NMR 4.95/1000]. Less than secondary school maternal education level, as compared to secondary school or above maternal education level, was the only variable significantly associated with neonatal mortality [OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.23 - 3.53, p=0.009]. The association between the remaining thirteen variables and neonatal mortality was non-significant. Priority investment to raise female literacy above secondary school level may significantly improve neonatal survival