Environmental and Socio-Demographic Risk Factors of Childhood Mortality in Rural Western Kenya

Kubaje Adazu, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Maurice Ombok, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
Frank Odhiambo, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
Rose Kiriinya, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
Kayla Laserson, Centers for Disease control and Prevention
Allen Hightower, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
John M Vulule, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
Daniel Feiken, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

We used longitudinal data from the Kisumu Health and Demographic Surveillance System (KHDSS) to explore the environmental and socio-demographic factors associated with childhood mortality in a rural population in western Kenya. Multivariate analysis showed that the U5MR increased by 12% for each additional kilometer that a child lived from a road served by public transport ( RR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.18, p<.0001). Increased mortality was also observed in children living near streams. Each additional 100 meters a residence was located away from a stream reduced mortality by 6.5% (RR=0.93, 95% CI: 0.90, 0.97, p=.0013). Living close to a clinic was not protective in multivariate analysis. There was clustering of childhood mortality in the area. Easier access to a major road reduced mortality and proximity to a stream increased mortality due to unknown factors. These results could be used as a first step in prioritizing areas for further study of causes of mortality and public health interventions.