REGIONAL VARIATIONS IN CHILD SURVIVAL IN KENYA: IMPLICATIONS FOR ACHIEVEMENT OF MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The study uses data from Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2008-9 to examine regional differences in under-five mortality. The data is analysed using logistic regression and the findings suggest that there are significant regional differences in under-five mortality. The differences however become less significant when the model controls for demographic variables and there is no significant difference when socio-economic and environmental variables are introduced in the model. This suggests that other than the demographic, socio-economic and environmental factors there are other factors probably population distribution, distribution of basic infrastructure and health care services and ecological or climatic that may have confounding the effects. The findings support the notion that interventions aimed at reducing under-five mortality should be tailored to take into account regional variations. There is need for further research to establish the potential determinants behind the observed differentials in under-five mortality