What Is the Association Between Maternal Age and Neonatal Mortality? An Analysis of the 2007 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of adolescent motherhood on neonatal mortality in Bangladesh using data from the nationally representative 2007 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. Both univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to assess the relationship between neonatal mortality and sociodemographic contextual factors focusing on maternal age, in particular, adolescent and adult motherhood. The statistical analyses yielded quantitatively important and reliable estimates of neonatal death. The sequential multivariate logistic regression analyses yielded significantly increased risk of neonatal mortality among children of adolescent mothers than of adult mothers. Maternal education, religion, birth rank, and antenatal care seeking are also important determinants of neonatal death. Programs should aim to support girls to stay in schooling for a longer period to be higher educated. Delaying the age at first marriage may be also a valuable strategy to promote and improve infants’ health and survival status.