Investigating the Characteristics Associated with Households Affected by under Five Mortality: A Community Dialogue Model in Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development (TICH) Partnership Districts

The study aimed to determine the child mortality rates in six partnership districts and their distribution by socio-economic characteristics and health seeking behaviour. Children continue to face tragically differing chances of survival based on where they are born. Although there has been global decline in Infant and Child Mortality rates, sub-Sahara African countries still bear the greatest burden. Measles, pneumonia, malaria, and starvation are among the ailments that can be prevented that cause these deaths. This has been observed throughout the study's six partnership districts. The study sought to investigate the variables connected with the impacted homes by introducing a community discussion paradigm. The overall result in the six partnership districts is a reversal of the recent child mortality trends in Kenya. Mortality and population data were derived from a complete household census of 27 sub- locations within the partnership districts (Nyando 7, Kisumu 2, Bondo 7, Suba 7, Siaya 2 and Rachuonyo 2 sub-locations). Child mortality and its relationship to specific background and proximate factors were considered. Between 2006 and 2007, proportions of households with child deaths declined in all the districts with Rachuonyo and Suba district sub-locations having the greatest decline from 38% to 12% and 15% to 0.1%, respectively. Proportions of health facility deliveries decreased in households that experienced under-five deaths in all the districts except one. Measles vaccination coverage was lower among households with child deaths. Use of Insecticide Treated Nets was lower among households with child deaths in Kisumu and Bondo unlike in Rachuonyo. The most urgent priority is to ensure access to and improve the quality of education for girls and women and to remove obstacles that hamper their active participation. Child mortality declined by type of housing and level of education. Child mortality rates were highest in homes with mothers who had completed only elementary school and lived in mud houses, and lowest in households with mothers who had completed secondary education and higher and lived in permanent dwellings. Mother education is still a major factor in determining child mortality, along with hospital delivery. Therefore, it is important to promote healthier behaviors in order to reduce the high rates of child mortality.