Spatial Variation in Risk Factors of Child Mortality in Two Urban Informal Settlements in Kenya

Cheikh Mbacke Faye, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
Maurice Mutisya, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
Patricia Elungata, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
Donatien Beguy, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)

Child mortality in Kenya is often associated with individual level factors including socio-economic status, nutritional status, and poor access to health services. Geographical factors are less documented as important predictors of child mortality in Kenya. Using a Bayesian geo-additive survival model, this study aims to identify predictors of child mortality in two Nairobi slums, Korogocho and Viwandani, accounting for spatial random effects. Longitudinal data from a Demographic Surveillance System that runs in the two slums were used. The data covers the period 2006-2011. In addition to determinants such as mother’s education and age, size of the household and ethnicity, our findings show a clear spatial structure in child mortality risk, with spatial differences strongly evidenced between some villages in Viwandani while no spatial variations were observed in Korogocho. The results call for specific efforts from policy makers to refine child health programs in view of the Kenya urban slums particularities.