Analysis of under five child mortality in East African Community

Abstract

The survival rate of under-five children is promising but still very low in East Africa Community (EAC) region. This study aimed at studying the survival patterns of children in EAC and thus depict the underlined factors associated to the persistent low survival rate of children in EAC and thus outline some of the policies recommendations to tackle the crisis. Therefore, contribute, on the basis of a quantitative analysis outcome, to the realization of the third target of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3.2) of ensuring child survival. Data were requested and obtained via DHS program website. From under-five children (KR)’s file and following the inclusion criteria of being aged 5 years or less at the date of interview, a total of 7856 children in Rwanda, 10233 children in Tanzania, and 13192 children in Burundi met these criteria and thus included into the current study. Both univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify variables that are statistically associated with child survival in Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanzania using both cox-proportional hazard model and Gamma frailty model. The univariate analysis revealed that all 12 variables considered in this study found to be statically associated with child survival in Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanzania. The country level multivariate analysis revealed that place of residence, preceding bird interval, number of living children, sex of the child, and duration of breast feeding are the potential determinants of child survival in Tanzania. In Rwanda, mother’s education, preceding bird interval, birth order, number of living children, and duration of breast feeding are the country’s specific factors affecting child survival in the same country. In the last country covered by the current study (Burundi), mother’s education level, age of the mother at first birth, wealth index, type of toilet facility, preceding birth interval, number of living children, and duration of breast feeding affect the survivorship of children. Our findings indicated that child survival in Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanzania is associated with countries’ specific factors. Therefore, the researcher recommended the adoption of country’s specific policies to ensure the improvement of child survival for all countries.