Ghana infant mortality rate falls over 25 years – Survey

The infant mortality rate for Ghana has declined in the last 25 years, according to the latest Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) released recently.

According to the results of the survey there has been a decline in childhood mortality over the past two and a half decades.

“This decline is especially pronounced over the last 10years. For example, the infant mortality rate declined from 64 per 1,000 for the five-year period preceding the 2003 GDHS to 41 per 1,000 during the same period prior to the 2014 GDHS,” it says.

The survey also indicates that similarly, the under-five mortality rate decreased from 111 per 1,000 for the five-year period preceding the 2003 GDHS to 60 per 1,000 during the same period prior to the 2014 GDHS.

Maternal healthcare has also significantly improved, according to the survey.

It notes that there has been significant improvement in the maternal health care indicators such as Antenatal Care (ANC) by a skilled provider, births occurring in health facility and births attended by skilled provider over the two decades preceding the 2014 survey.

“For instance, births attended by a skilled provider which was at 40 percent improved to 74% percent in the 2014 survey whereas ANC attendance also increased from 82 percent to 97% for the same period under reporting,” it says.

Adding that, iIt is expected that this will make an impact on Maternal Mortality Rates (MMR) in due course. “Currently, MMR are not declining as quickly enough for Ghana to attain the MDG targets, but with this positive trend, it is hoped that Ghana can soon attain the MDG targets,” the survey says.

The survey is conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service in collaboration with the National Public Health and Reference Laboratory, and the Ghana Health Service.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi