A Study of Mortality Among Under-Five Children in Basrah - 2014

Background The under-five mortality rate (U-5 MR): is the number of Children who die by the age of five per 1000 live births per year. UNICEF classified (U-5 MR) indicators into infant mortality rate(IMR)and mortality rate for 1-4 years age children. (IMR): is the annual number of deaths of children under one year of age for every 1000 live births. It has two components: Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR): is the number of infant deaths under 28 days of age in a year per 1000 live births in the same year. may be subdivided into: Early neonatal deaths, occurring during the first seven days of life. Late neonatal deaths, occurring after seventh day but before 28 completed days of life. Post Neonatal Mortality Rate (PNMR): is the number of deaths of infants between 28 days and one year of life in a given year per 1000 live births Children (1-4) years deaths: the death of children aged 1-4 years Live birth: the complete extraction from the mother of a product of human conception, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy, which after such expulsion, shows any other evidence of life. (U-5 MR): is a leading indicator of the level of child health. (NMR): also reflect the health status of mothers. Causes of under-five child mortality is Acute lower respiratory tract infection mostly pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, and malaria are the leading causes of childhood deaths in developing countries. Under nutrition contribute to about 50% of these deaths. OBJECT •••• To assess the rate of mortality for children under five years old, and geographical distribution of deaths with sex and place of residence, socio demographic factors in Basra governorate-2014. •••• To know the main causes of death. •••• To put advice to reduce rat of mortality, and recommendations for future and better care in Basrah