Spatial Distribution of Premature Infant Mortality in 2000-2017

The provision, maintenance and promotion of the health of infants as a vulnerable group in health care services are a high priority, and the first step in reducing infant mortality and improving their health is undoubtedly the identification of their mortality status. We aimed to study the spatial distribution of premature infant mortality in 194 countries in 2000-2017.

In this descriptive study using reanalysis data, the data were re-analyzed. First, the infant mortality data were collected from the official website of the World Health Organization. Then, a database was created in ArcGIS 10.6 software, and the statistical tests and related maps were extracted. To this end, the Global Moran’s I and Gtis-Ord-Gi spatial correlation analyses were utilized. Data was analyzed down year by year and the charts were extracted by GIS software during a period of 18 years (2000 to 2017).

The results of this study demonstrated that infant mortality (0-27 days-old) followed a downward trend, but its spatial pattern was clustered (Moran’s I>0, Z-score> 2.58). We analyzed 19,041,539 data about infant mortality in 2000 to 2017. This situation was concentrated as Hot Spots in the West Pacific region and part of Asia (Central, South and Southeast Asia) from 2000 to 2017 (with 90%, 95% and 99% confidence intervals). In addition, it was revealed that there were no Cold Spots between countries.

The results of the present study demonstrated that the total infant mortality followed a downward trend, while the Hot Spots of infant mortality were in the West Pacific region and part of Asia by 2000 and remained as Hot Spots until 2017.