Original article
English
A. Abudejaja, Ratan Singh, M. Aman Ullah Khan
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Garyounis, Benghazi, S.P.L.A.J.
Garyounis Medical Journal Vol. 5, No.1. January 1982:37-46
Abstract
The infant mortality rate (IMR) per 1000 live births for Benghazi City of Libyan Jamahiriya declined spectacularly from 305 in 1949 to 38.75 in 1977 and was currently one of the lowest in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Of all the infant deaths, neonates (0-27 days) and postneonates (28 to 364 days) formed 38.68 percent and 61.32 percent respectively. IMR varied from 23.25 in the month of May to 48.83 in August and was higher for males than females. Infective and parasitic diseases, acute respiratory infections, prematurity, birth anoxia, birth trauma and congenital malformations together constituted nearly two-thirds of total infant deaths. Trends and components of IMR at Benghazi were compared with national and international statistics. Some measures for promotion of infant health and further reduction of infant losses at Ben ghazi included: attention to better antenatal care of expectant mothers, intranatal monitoring of foetus, postnatal screening of newborn, continuing preventive immunization and prompt reporting of sick babies to clinics, emergency units and hospitals.
Keywords: Trends and Factors of Infant Mortality in Benghazi and Libyan Jamahiriya
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