The influence of maternal factors and residential building characteristics on infant mortality in Papua Province, Indonesia, based on secondary data analysis of the IDHS 2017

HIGHLIGHTS This study focuses on Papua, which has the highest infant mortality rate, using a multivariate approach to analyze various factors. Data from the IDHS 2017 and robust statistical analysis are expected to aid in formulating effective health policies. The uniqueness of this research lies in its broader scope of variables, including education and employment, while considering the social and cultural context of Papua, providing new insights into infant health issues. ABSTRACT Objective: Infant mortality remains a significant global health issue, with 2.4 million infants died before one month of age in 2020. In Indonesia, the infant mortality rate was 16.85 per 1,000 live births in 2022, with Papua Province reported the highest rate. This study aims to identify factors contributing to infant mortality in Indonesia, focusing on maternal age, antenatal care, immunization, delivery conditions, parity, education, maternal employment, income, and housing characteristics. Materials and Methods: This study employed a quantitative cross-sectional design using secondary data from the Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS) 2017. The sample included 658 women aged 15-49 who gave birth to infants aged 0-11 months between 2012 and 2017 in Papua Province. The analysis comprised three stages: univariate analysis for frequency distribution, bivariate analysis using logistic regression (p < 0.05) to test relationships, and multivariate analysis with multiple logistic regression for simultaneous evaluation. Variables with p values < 0.25 were included, while those > 0.05 were progressively removed, focusing on changes in Odds Ratio (OR). Results: The analysis found that maternal education level is a dominant factor influencing infant mortality, with an Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) of 43.579 (p-value = 0.000, 95% CI = 5.549-342.235). Mothers with a basic education are 43.57 times more likely to experience infant mortality compared to those with higher education. Conclusions: Maternal socioeconomic factors significantly impact infant mortality in Papua Province, and the findings can inform strategies to reduce mortality rates in the region.