Trends and Determinants of Infant and Child Mortality in Ethiopia: Could the MDG four be met?

Survival status of children is one of the indicators of socio-economic 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 lack of access to health care facilities. The MDG4 set by the UN is to reduce child mortality level of 1990 by two-third by 2015. The main objective of this study is to identify determinants of child mortality in Ethiopia, and assess if the aforementioned goal is attainable using three rounds of the Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 2000, 2005 and 2011. Data were analyzed using tabular and graphical methods, and an event history logistic regression model is fitted to identify factors associated with child survival. Results of the study reveal that Ethiopia is on track to achieve the child mortality goal but requires making extra efforts to reduce the excessive neonatal mortality. Significant differences in child mortality still prevail across the regions though the Health Extension Workers (HEWs) provide vaccination and treat child illnesses in rural Ethiopia. Enhancing the capacity of HEWs to manage obstetric care and ANC would ensure higher chances of survival of children in the future.