Causes of infant deaths in Khanaqin city for the period (2015-2024)

Abstract

Infant mortality is a fundamental indicator of mortality rates in any country and a key demographic variable reflecting the state of health development in society. This research aims to study the reality of infant mortality in Khanaqin city for the period (2015-2024), by analyzing infant mortality rates for each year of the study, showing the temporal changes that occurred to them, whether increasing or decreasing, and linking them to the prevailing health, social and economic conditions. The highest rate was recorded during the two years (2020-2021), and it was recorded (10.6-10.6) per thousand, as a result of the spread of the Coronavirus and the infection of many pregnant mothers with it and its effect on infants in the postnatal stage. The research also focused on studying the most important direct pathological causes of infant mortality, such as premature birth, which reached 6 cases in 2019, which is the highest recorded value, as a result of infant mortality being very strongly linked to pregnancy complications and premature birth, as well as the weakness of prenatal health care The study also examined indirect causes such as environmental factors, low socioeconomic status, and low educational level of the family. The study also showed a rise in the mortality rate of male infants in several years (2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024). This continuous increase is due to several biological and physiological factors, most importantly their weak immune and adaptive abilities in the early stages of life, which may make them more susceptible to health complications and birth infections. The study also showed that the highest number of deaths was recorded in the under 7-day age group, ranging between (5-9) deaths annually, and the lowest rate was recorded in the (1-12 months) age group, reaching (0-2) deaths annually. This is attributed to the decrease in the level of health risk as the infant gets older. Finally, the study showed a higher number of deaths among infants weighing less than (2.5) kg compared to other groups, as deaths in this group ranged between (5-8) cases annually, as a result of several health problems such as incomplete lung development, weak immune system, and increased susceptibility to diseases.