Cultural, Socioeconomic, and Demographic Factors Contributing to Child Mortality: Evidence from Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey 2019

Abstract

Abstract Child mortality is the likelihood of a newborn dying before age five and is an essential issue in underdeveloped countries with limited healthcare facilities. Sierra Leone is one of the countries with the highest child mortality rate. This study examined the cultural, socioeconomic, and demographic factors associated with under-five deaths in Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey 2019 data were used in this study. A total of 4540 mothers aged 15–49 years with at least one child under five were included in the analysis. In the bivariate statistical analyses, Spearman’s and Kendal’s tau correlation, Mann-Whietney, and Kruskal Wallis H test have been performed to test the significance of the explanatory features and study variable. A range of statistical multivariate statistical discrete models has been performed in the multivariate analysis. The results revealed that the Zero-inflated Poisson regression model performed best compared to other discrete models to determine the factors influencing child mortality. The study showed that mental age and the mother’s education level significantly impact child mortality in Sierra Leone. In addition, the number of children of ever born and the mother’s working status significantly affect child mortality. Moreover, preceding birth intervals and geographical regions also substantially impact child death in Sierra Leone. The study results would help policymakers make the right interventions and reduce such mortality in Sierra Leone.