Déterminants de la mortalité infantile en milieu rural : Cas de la Zone de Santé de Yaleko dans la Province de la Tshopo en RD Congo

Abstract

Infant mortality remains a public health problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo in general, and in the Yaleko area in particular. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the determinants that negatively influence the health of children under 5, using the semi-structured method based on an interview with mothers of deceased children. This requires knowledge and mastery of the determinants of mortality in order to better orientate control strategies. The survey revealed that mortality is significantly influenced by socio-demographic, cultural, environmental, spatio-temporal and health factors. Mothers' level of education, household size and inter-genital space were found to be major determinants of infant mortality. A higher level of maternal education, smaller household size and optimal inter-genital space are associated with a reduction in infant mortality. These factors act in a connected way and reflect socio-economic and cultural conditions that significantly influence children's health. Policies aimed at improving women's education, promoting family planning practices and supporting the empowerment of mothers can have a substantial impact on reducing infant mortality. Our results seek to imply the implementation of a program based on Information, Education and Communication for behavior change on the determinants that influence infant mortality.