Causes of Infant Mortality in Botswana

Abstract

Introduction: Infant mortality rate of Botswana has not reduced substantial in the last two decades (1990-2009); the HIV/AIDS epidemic has not helped the situation either. The aim of this project was to determine the major causes of infant death in Botswana and what the government is doing about it. Method: The statistical data used was from the Mortality and Morbidity report of 2006 from Department of Statistics at the Ministry of Health Botswana; literature review included several case report studies conducted by the CDC and ministry of health Botswana in early 2006 following a spike in reported infant death due to diarrhea. Several pamphlets and policy manuals in use in Botswana were also used to discuss the government efforts in reducing child death. Results: The study reveled that infant mortality is mainly caused by infectious diseases, taking account for over 67% of causes of infant death in Botswana. Pneumonia was responsible for 21.7%, while diarrhea was responsible for 27.7% of the deaths among infants. The study also showed that the government of Botswana has introduced several programs that should reduce infant mortality, and indeed success is evident in reducing mother to child transmission of HIV through the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV program. Conclusion: Clearly a lot more needs to be done to address the issue of infant mortality, since major causes in Botswana as well as other developing countries are preventable diseases. One of the ways is to educate the public about health and the health services available for them. Another important issue is to educate the primary health worker at all levels.