Factors influencing neonatal mortality: an analysis using the Swaziland Demographic Health Survey 2007

This study examines the effects of socioeconomic and maternal variables on the probability of neonatal deaths. An understanding of the factors related to neonatal mortality is important in guiding the development of focused and evidence-based health interventions to prevent neonatal deaths. The data source for the analysis was the 2006-07 Swaziland Demographic and Health Survey from which survival information on 1727 infants born within the 3 years preceding the survey. Design based logistic regression incorporating survey weights was performed to analyze the associated factors. Compared to infants born at home, the odds of dying were significantly lower for infants born in a private facility (OR=0.37, 95% CI: 0.15-0.90). Neonates born in public facilities and those born at home had similar odds of dying. For newborns, whose birth size according to the mother was smaller than average, the odds of dying were more than 4 times the odds for large-sized babies (OR=4.72, 95% CI: 1.66-13.36)

Individual and community-level factors associated with lifetime number of sexual partners among women aged 15-49 in Eswatini.

IntroductionUnderstanding the risk factors for behavioral patterns in sexual relationships play a significant role in the reduction of the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.ObjectiveTo investigate individual and community level factors on the lifetime number of sexual partners of women in Eswatini.Material and methodsThe study was a secondary cross-sectional analysis of the 2014 Eswatini Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). A total of 2,832 women aged 15-49 years were asked in total, how many different people have you had sexual intercourse in your lifetime. The multilevel negative binomial regression model was used to analyze the data.ResultsThe overall mean number of lifetime sexual partners was 2.78 (95% CI: 2.66, 2.91) in 2014. Compared to women aged 15-19, those aged 20 years and older, formerly married or never married reported more lifetime sexual partners compared to currently married women. Those that were aged 15 years and older at sexual debut reported fewer lifetime sexual partners compared to those that were aged less than 15 years. Compared to women that used a condom at last sexual intercourse, those that did not use a condom at last sexual encounter reported fewer lifetime sexual partners. Relative to women that lived with their sons and daughters, those that did not live with their sons and daughters reported more lifetime sexual partners. Women that lived in the Shiselweni and Lubombo regions reported fewer lifetime sexual partners compared to those residents in the Hhohho region.ConclusionOverall, lifetime sexual partners in Eswatini was significantly associated with individual characteristics and is unique across regions. Programs that aim to elucidate the factors associated with incident HIV infections among women in Eswatini should focus on individual and community-level factors that are associated with multiple sexual partnerships, which in turn might increase the risk of HIV exposure

Individual and community-level factors associated with lifetime number of sexual partners among women aged 15–49 in Eswatini

Introduction Understanding the risk factors for behavioral patterns in sexual relationships play a significant role in the reduction of the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. Objective To investigate individual and community level factors on the lifetime number of sexual partners of women in Eswatini Material and methods The study was a secondary cross-sectional analysis of the 2014 Eswatini Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). A total of 2,832 women aged 15–49 years were asked in total, how many different people have you had sexual intercourse in your lifetime. The multilevel negative binomial regression model was used to analyze the data. Results The overall mean number of lifetime sexual partners was 2.78 (95% CI: 2.66, 2.91) in 2014. Compared to women aged 15–19, those aged 20 years and older, formerly married or never married reported more lifetime sexual partners compared to currently married women. Those that were aged 15 years and older at sexual debut reported fewer lifetime sexual partners compared to those that were aged less than 15 years. Compared to women that used a condom at last sexual intercourse, those that did not use a condom at last sexual encounter reported fewer lifetime sexual partners. Relative to women that lived with their sons and daughters, those that did not live with their sons and daughters reported more lifetime sexual partners. Women that lived in the Shiselweni and Lubombo regions reported fewer lifetime sexual partners compared to those residents in the Hhohho region. Conclusion Overall, lifetime sexual partners in Eswatini was significantly associated with individual characteristics and is unique across regions. Programs that aim to elucidate the factors associated with incident HIV infections among women in Eswatini should focus on individual and community-level factors that are associated with multiple sexual partnerships, which in turn might increase the risk of HIV exposure. </jats:sec