Mitigation Of Infant Mortality In Geita District: A Case Study Of Nyamalimbe And Kamena Wards

ABSTRACT

The study to mitigate the infant mortality in Geita District, was conducted in four selected villages namely Kamena, Nyamalimbe, Nyalwanzaja and Lwamwizo.

Data were collected using questionnaire, interviews, focus group discussion and documentary analysis. A total of 120 respondents were involved in the study. The information obtained, was then analysed by using the statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) and excel, while qualitative information was analysed by using content analysis.

Field results indicated that, the infant mortality was caused by poor family planning, diseases, long distance from home to dispensary, poor health education, and

The study concludes that NGOs, intervention and Health Centre should play a critical role in mitigating infant mortality rate in the study areas, through the provision of community education targeting women. Therefore, it is recommended that, the Government and the District government should ensure that there was commitment towards awareness rising to people on how lower IMR through television, radio, posters, magazine, seminar and brochures.

By employing enough heath workers, pregnant women should be adviced give their birth in hospital/health centre or dispensary and discourage tradition beliefs, which are associated with infant deaths.