Introduction: Despite remarkable progress in childhood survival, sub-Saharan Africa still experiences the highest under-five mortality globally. Indeed, the risk of childhood death is 14 times higher in low income countries compared to high income countries. Egypt and Kenya are both low middle-income countries with varied under-five mortality experiences. While Egypt has reached the Sustainable Development Goal target, Kenya is still lagging behind. Objective: This study aimed to identify and compare the key determinants of under-five mortality in the context of socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics of the mother as well as demographic characteristics of the new born in Egypt and Kenya. Method: The data source for this study was the 2014 Egypt and Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis showed statistical significance of p-value < 0.01 for both countries. Also, the model could correctly predict 99% and 98% of cases in Egypt and Kenya respectively. Results: A total sample of 7576 and 9713 births in Egypt and Kenya, respectively was drawn from women who reported their last birth within the five years preceding the survey. Under-five mortality was reported at 1% and 2% in Egypt and Kenya respectively. In the final model, richer women in Egypt (OR = 3.375); older mothers 25 - 39 (OR = 1.592 Kenya, OR = 1.916 Egypt); those aged 40 - 49 (OR = 3.043 Kenya, OR = 5.191 Egypt); mother’s higher education (OR = 0.342 Kenya, OR = 0.194 Egypt); being female (OR = 0.717 Kenya); contraceptive use (OR = 1.992 Kenya, OR = 4.241 Egypt) showed significant association with under-five mortality compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: Under-five mortality was significantly associated with mother’s age, education and contraceptive use. Educated women are best placed to use contraception to space and limit births as well as promote campaigns against risky old age childbearing thereby reducing childhood mortality.
Cite this paper
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