The trend of child mortality in the 3 decades from 1970-2000 in Bavi district, Hatay province

ABSTRACT

Background: In Vietnam, the three decades from 1970 to 2000 was a period having three variable periods of social and economic developmentbefore, during and after the war against America. These changes affect child mortality.\r\n', u'Objectives: The aim of the study is to get a better understanding of the trends in neonatal, infant and child mortality rate in the 3 decades from 1970 to 2000.\r\n', u'Subjects and methods: A retrospective interview with all the women aged 15-54 years old in Bavi district, Northern Vietnam (n=14.329) was conducted.\r\n', u'Results:The results showed a dramatic reduction in infant and under five mortality rate (47%) over time while the neonatal mortality rate showed a small reduction (17%), thus made its proportion of the total child mortality increased. The factors of ethnic minority character and education of the mother were clearly related to child mortality. Children of ethnic minority mothers have 1.5 times higher risk of dying compared with Kinh mothers. Mothers with low education have 2.3 times and 1.5 times higher risk of neonatal deaths and under 5 mortality, respectively compared with mothers with higher education.\r\n', u'Conclusion: Interventions to reduce child mortality should be focused on improving neonatal care and concentrated on maternal groups with low level of education and of ethnic minorities. \r\n', u'\r\n', u'