Factors Influencing Infant Mortality among Slum Dwellers in Kenya: A Case of Mukuru Slum in Nairobi County

Abstract

Globally, infant mortality has substantially declined; however, the situation is different in African more so Sub Saharan Africa. In Kenya, whereas the country’s figures on infant mortality are reducing, it has been noted that the slum areas continues to report higher rates. It is in this premise that this study sought to establish the factors influencing infant mortality using Mukuru slum in Nairobi County as the case study area. The main objectives were to examine whether mother’s lifestyle, environmental, socio-economic factors influence infant mortality and suggest strategies to reduce infant deaths. The study adopted a descriptive research design where both probability and non - probability sampling techniques were used. 98 women attending pre and post-natal clinics within study area, six selected health workers in the six selected health facilities and six community opinion leaders within the area of study were included. Questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussion guides and observation were used to collect data from the sample size of 98 respondents who were sampled from a population of women attending pre and post-natal clinics in the twelve health facilities located in Mukuru slum. The researcher obtained quantitative and qualitative data which was analyzed through editing, coding, classification and data entry in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The researcher was able to generate frequency tables and charts. The type of toilet facility, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking were found to be significant. The study recommends on the need to educate women in the slums on the dangers lifestyle poses on their health and survival of their children.