Survey of the Mortality Trend of Children Under 5 Years Old and the Economic and Health Status of Their Families During the Years 2011-2020 in Rafsanjan City: A Descriptive Study

Examining the death trend of children under 5 years old can help in planning and policy making in the health field. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of determining the mortality trend of children under 5 years old in Rafsanjan City from 2011 to 2020.

In this descriptive study, 257 deaths of children under 5 years old in all areas covered by Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences has been investigated. The data collection tool was a checklist including the demographic information of the child, parents, cause of death, and criteria related to the economic and health status of the families. The information was obtained through the Health Deputy of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences and from the death registration system. The information was reported in the form of number and percentage, and the death rate in each region was calculated and displayed as a map.

The mean and standard deviation of children’s age was 14.90±14.79 months. 153 people (59.5%) were girls, 225 people (87.5%) were natives, 82 people (31.9%) were non-Iranians, and 154 people (59.9%) were city residents. 24 people (9.3%) died due to traffic accidents. 18 (7%) of the mothers also had a history of stillbirth. 255 people (99.2%) of these families had access to medical centers.

The death rate was higher in the villages than in the city. Also, a significant number of deaths of children living in the city were non-Iranian, perhaps it can be said that this is caused by less favorable conditions of healthcare facilities and services as well as the economic conditions in the villages. As a result, it seems that increasing the equipment and facilities of neonatal intensive care units can play an effective role in reducing child mortality.