Count Models of Mortality for Children Under Five Years in Kenya

Abstract

Child mortality under the age of five (U5M) is a critical public health concern influenced by several factors. Child mortality rate can be used to gauge a country’s health status and progress towards achieving sustainable development goals. These Goals, were established in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly, to be accomplished by 2030. The SDG Goal 3 target 2 Strives to achieve a substantial reduction in under-5 mortality rates, with the ambitious goal of lowering them to 25 or fewer deaths per 1,000 live births by the year 2030. Reducing the deaths of toddlers aged five and below is a crucial objective for developing countries, particularly in regions of the continent of Africa that lie south of the Sahara This study delves into the distribution and determinants of U5M in Kenya, employing count models to scrutinize the spatial dynamic distribution and socio-economic variables utilizing information obtained from the 2014 Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS). By uncovering geographical variations in U5M rates, this research aims to inform the design of integrated interventions, thereby reducing the financial burden associated with these interventions and averting redundant resource allocation. The study revealed that region, mothers’ level of education, and socioeconomic factors were significant risk factors associated with under-five mortality. The findings of this study contribute to a more targeted and efficient approach to addressing child mortality, ultimately improving the well-being of Kenya’s youngest population.