Infant Mortality and its Causes in Three Different Districts of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Maternal and newborn mortality rates remain unacceptably high, especially where the majority of 
births occur in home settings or in facilities with inadequate resources.  
Objectives: This study was conducted to estimate the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), reporting percentage and to 
identify the risk factors for infant mortality in Punjab, Pakistan.  
Study Design: Retrospective Study.  
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the Directorate General, Health Services Punjab, 
Lahore from 01-07-2007 to 30-06-2008. 
Materials and Methods: Community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted during July to September 2009. 
Interviews of female family heads were conducted by the trained researchers.  
Results: Deaths of 786 infants were reported in three districts, verbal autopsy of all cases was done to find out the 
causes of deaths during infancy. World Bank (2010) reported IMR of Pakistan 71/1000 live birth (estimated 
infant’s deaths 9811), which is very high from this study (6/1000 live birth). Major Causes of infant mortality were 
found malnutrition 194(24.6%), Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) 188(23.9%), and Diarrheal Diseases 
161(20.4%).  
Conclusion: Mortality due to said diseases can be reduced by improving childbearing and childrearing practices, 
equitable distribution of good standard health care facilities, safe drinking water and individual attention.