Abstract:
The study on socio economic factors affecting infant mortality was conducted in
Morogoro District. In spite of measures taken by key stakeholders including the
government, UNICEF, WHO, health initiatives in Tanzania infant deaths are increasing in
rural populations. Socio economic factors are said to be main courses. A cross sectional
study to observe the influence of socio economic factors affecting infant mortality was,
therefore, conducted in Morogoro district. The ultimate objective of this study is to
determine the socio economic factors influencing infant mortality. The specific objectives
were as follows; to show the role of poverty on infant mortality, explore the influence of
occupation on infant mortality, investigate the association between education and
mortality, show the role of income on infant mortality, explore the linkage between
sanitation and infant mortality, and investigate the influence of distance on infant
mortality. A total of 100 respondents were included in the survey. The data were analyzed
by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 12.0 version computer
software program. The results showed that, education, sanitation, low income, short
distance, poverty and occupation of the households associated with infant mortality. There
is a need of more emphasis on rural (community) development efforts so as to improve the
living standards of all people in the countryside. These efforts include: increasing of
employment opportunities, quality education, improvement of sanitations, infrastructure
such as roads and health facilities by providing qualitable medications and seminars to
households on good care to infants.
