Inequalities of Infant Mortality in Ethiopia

Abstract

(1) Background: Infant mortality is viewed as a core health indicator of overall community health. Although globally child survival has improved significantly over the years, Sub-Saharan Africa is still the region with the highest infant mortality in the world. In Ethiopia, infant mortality is still high, albeit substantial progress has been made in the last few decades. However, there is significant inequalities in infant mortalities in Ethiopia. Understanding the main sources of inequalities in infant mortalities would help identify disadvantaged groups, and develop equity-directed policies. Thus, the purpose of the study was to provide a diagnosis of inequalities of infant mortalities in Ethiopia from four dimensions of inequalities (sex, residence type, mother's education, and household wealth). (2) Methods: Data disaggregated by infant mortalities and infant mortality inequality dimensions (sex, residence type, mother's education, and household wealth) from the WHO Health Equity Monitor Database were used. Data were based on Ethiopia's Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS) of 2000 (n = 14,072), 2005 (n = 14,500), 2011 (n = 17,817), and 2016 (n = 16,650) households. We used the WHO Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT) software to find estimates of infant mortalities along with inequality measures. (3) Results: Inequalities related to sex, residence type, mother's education, and household wealth still exist; however, differences in infant mortalities arising from residence type, mother's education, and household wealth were narrowing with the exception of sex-related inequality where male infants were markedly at a disadvantage. (4) Conclusions: Although inequalities of infant mortalities related to social groups still exist, there is a substantial sex related infant mortality inequality with disproportional deaths of male infants. Efforts directed at reducing infant mortality in Ethiopia should focus on improving the survival of male infants.

Keywords: Africa; Ethiopia; inequality; infant mortality.

Figure 1

Infant mortality rates per 1000 live births among Ethiopian children disaggregated by infants’ sex (DHS* 2000, 2005, 2011, 2016) Note: DHS* = Demographic and Health Surveys; IMR = Infant Mortality Rates.

Figure 2

Inequality in infant mortality rate related to the infant sex: Difference (D). (DHS* 2000, 2005, 2011, 2016) Note: * = Demographic and Health Surveys; Difference (D) = Male infant mortality − Female infant mortality.

Figure 3

Infant mortality rates per 1000 live births among Ethiopian children disaggregated by infants’ place of residence (DHS* 2000, 2005, 2011, 2016) Note: * = Demographic and Health Surveys; IMR = Infant Mortality Rates.

Figure 4

Inequality in infant mortality rates per 1000 live births related to the place of residence (DHS* 2000, 2005, 2011, 2016) Note: Difference (D) = Rural mortality − Urban infant mortality; * = Demographic and Health Surveys.

Figure 5

Infant mortality rate per 1000 live births disaggregated by mothers’ education (DHS* 2000, 2005, 2011, 2016) Note: IMR = Infant Mortality Rates; DHS* = Demographic and Health Surveys.

Figure 6

Mothers’ education related inequality in infant mortality: Absolute Concentration Index (ACI) (DHS*, 2000, 2005, 2011, 2016) Note: DHS* = Demographic and Health Surveys.

Figure 7

Infant mortality rate per 1000 live births desegregated by economic status (wealth quantile) (DHS* 2000, 2005, 2011, 2016) Note: IMR = Infant Mortality Rates; DHS* = Demographic and Health Surveys.

Figure 8

Household economic status (wealth quintile) related inequality in infant mortality: Absolute Concentration Index (ACI). (DHS* 2000, 2005, 2011, 2016) Note: DHS* = Demographic and Health Surveys.