Trends and Determinants of Infant Mortality Rate in Fars Province during 2001-2011

Infant mortality rate (IMR) is one of the most important sensitive indicators of the socio economic and health status of a community. The aim of this study is to investigate the infant mortality rate (IMR) during 2001-2011 in Fars province and study socio economic factors that influence IMR. This is a quantitative study. Data was gathered from death registration of Ministry of Health (2001-2011)، National Organization for Civil Registration and DHS (2000). In model development، logistic regression was utilized to determine the significance of socioeconomic indicators on IMR. According to death registration data،total IMR has been declining from 15. 9 per 1000 live birth in 2001 to 13. 7 in 1000 live birth in 2011. The result of logistic regression analysis showed that a positive significant relation (p ≤ 0. 05) exists between IMR and predictive variables such as mother''s age at birth، experience of still-birth، experience of abortion، number of children and a negative significant relation (p ≤ 0. 05) exists between IMR and variables including parental education، mother''s age at marriage، health index، settlement، and economic index. As study indicated، 13. 8 % decline was registered for the decade (2001-2011). The next improvements are mall due to stochastic levels of infant mortality. However efforts to promote maternal and child care along with more training and counseling could be effective in more declines in IMR.