Young and vulnerable: Spatial-temporal trends and risk factors for infant mortality in rural South Africa (Agincourt), 1992-2007

2010

Infant Mortality Trends and Risk Factors in Rural South Africa

Sample size: 31804 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Sartorius Benn KD, Kahn Kathleen, Vounatsou Penelope, Collinson Mark A, Tollman Stephen M

Primary Institution: MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Hypothesis

What are the spatial-temporal trends and risk factors for infant mortality in rural South Africa from 1992 to 2007?

Conclusion

The study found that infant mortality increased significantly over the study period, largely due to the impact of the HIV epidemic.

Supporting Evidence

Infant mortality increased significantly over the study period.
HIV was a major cause of infant mortality.
Household deaths and maternal deaths were significant risk factors.
Breastfeeding had a protective effect on infant mortality.
Geographical differences in mortality risk were observed.
Access to health care did not significantly correlate with infant mortality.
Maternal education was associated with lower infant mortality.
High levels of neonatal mortality were noted, especially in perinatal periods.

Takeaway

This study looked at how many babies died in a rural area of South Africa and why, finding that many deaths were linked to HIV and other health issues.

Methodology

A spatial-temporal analysis using Bayesian hierarchical geostatistical negative binomial autoregressive models and Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation.