Trends and determinants of under–five mortality in Ethiopia: Could the MDG four be met?

Abstract

The survival status of children is one of the indicators of socioeconomic development of any given country. A number of developing countries are, however, unable to tackle causes of child morbidity and mortality due to poor public health measures and a lack of access to healthcare facilities. The main objective of this study is to identify determinants of under-five mortality in Ethiopia, and assess if MDG 4 is attainable using three rounds of the Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 2000, 2005 and 2011. Data were analysed using tabular and graphical methods, and discrete–time event history model is fitted to identify factors associated with under-five survival. Results of the study reveal that Ethiopia is on track to achieve the MDG on child mortality but requires making extra efforts to reduce the excessive neonatal mortality. Significant differences in under-five mortality still prevail across the administrative regions in Ethiopia although the national strategy for child survival was developed and implemented in 2005. Enhancing the capacity of health workers to manage obstetric care and antenatal care would ensure higher chances of survival of under-five children in the future.